Brandywell Stadium in Derry is to get a multi-pound revamp.
Brandywell Stadiium.
The work will include a new stand on Lone Moor Road end of the ground and a state-of-the-art G4 pitch – thus doing away with the ground’s infamous slope.
It is believed the ground’s greyhound track is to be realigned to facilitate the revamp.
Derry City Council is to carry out the upgrade after securing funding from the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL).
The local authority confirmed in November 2010 that it was involved in wide-ranging discussions in relation to the future of the stadium.
At the time, the Council’s discussions centred on three options: – to act on the health and safety issues; to construct a new stand including changing rooms and office space or, alternatively, to move out of the Brandywell and relocate to a new stadium elsewhere.
The third option was immediately ruled out due to the heavy financial cost factor while options one and two appear to have been combined with the major work to be focused on the Lone Moor Road side of the ground.
The new stand is expected to providef 2,500 seats and the demolition of the existing “old Glentoran” stand.
In October last, DCAL confirmed a sum of £2 million would be allocated towards the development of the “Foyle Valley/Brandywell Masterplan” which seeks to improve sporting facilities in the Foyle Valley area, including Brandywell Showgrounds, adjacent to the Brandywell Stadium.
The Brandywell Stadium is a municipal sports ground owned by Derry City Council, and Derry City represents one of its main tenants.
The news has been welcomed by Derry Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney.
