FREE stadium tours and taster training sessions for local sports clubs are just two of a number of community and sports events set to take place this month to mark the eagerly anticipated official completion of the £7 million refurbishment and redevelopment works at Brandywell Stadium.The extensive project, jointly funded by Council and the Social Investment Fund under the NI Executive’s Delivering Social Change framework forms part of the larger Brandywell / Daisyfield Masterplan to regenerate and invest in the area.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Maolíosa McHugh, who will be in attendance at the Community Tea Dance at the Long Tower Community Centre which begins the programme of events on Saturday March 10th.
“I am delighted that local people are being given the opportunity to view and use the stunning new facilities at the Brandywell with this programme of events because this stadium has been built for the community,” he said.
“Council would like to take this opportunity to thank all our community partners involved in the development of the project and opening programme, including Triax Neighbourhood Renewal Taskforce and Long Tower Youth & Community Centre”
“This Regeneration Project is one of the Council’s most significant and ambitious capital development projects and a key part of our commitment in the Strategic Growth Plan to invest in sport to improve the health and wellbeing of our citizens.
“It is one of a number of ambitious projects that we are working on, including our Strategic Leisure Project that will see the creation of two new leisure facilities at Templemore and in Strabane.”
Derry City will host Limerick FC in the first major event at the new facility on Monday March 12th.
The redevelopment includes the construction of a new 955 seater stand with supporting infrastructure including new changing rooms, media facilities, meeting and hospitality space and a safety control centre.
Along with the pre-existing Southend Stand and terrace space at either side of the new stand for 270 spectators, it brings the capacity of the new ground to approximately 3,700 people.
The project also includes a new synthetic turf pitch, a standalone dog track, the refurbishment of the south-end stand and additional car parking as well as substantial improvement works across the site, including the replacement of the boundary walls.
Derry City are one of a number of user groups for the new facility along with local junior soccer leagues The Saturday Morning League and the Derry and District League as well as local underage leagues and the greyhound racing fraternity.
The synthetic turf pitch will allow for more games and any member of the public can now book the pitch which could prove particularly popular with children’s parties.
The Community Tea Dance on Saturday will take place from 2 pm to 4 pm with music by ‘Legacy’ and refreshments provided: to reserve a ticket for the event please contact Karen Tracey at Council offices on 71 253 253.
Members of the public will be given the opportunity to tour the facilities at the Brandywell, led by a member of Derry City & Strabane District Council, on Tuesday March 13th at 12pm and 7pm and Thursday March 15th at 12pm and 7pm. Places on the tour will allocated on a first come first served basis, to register please contact Karen Tracey at Council offices on 71 253 253.
On Tuesday March 13th, the Everybody Active Multi Sport School Festival will give local schools the chance to take part in a multi-sport event at the Stadium as part of Council’s Everybody Active 2020 programme funded by Sport NI.
Free one hour taster training opportunities are available to local Soccer, Gaelic and Rugby clubs to deliver coaching sessions at the Stadium on Tuesday 13th March from 6pm – 9pm and Thursday 15th March from 6-9pm. Each club will have access to half pitch and due to anticipated high demand, each club will be limited to one slot.
All clubs must produce all booking documentation required before securing their slot, to register please contact Karen Tracey at Council offices on 71 253 253
On Wednesday March 14th, the Irish Football Association, in partnership with Council, will showcase the Foyle Games Development Centre for small sided games from 6pm – 8pm, with 144 participants aged under 12 from local grassroots clubs. The aim of the centre is to develop new football skills and promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle among boys and girls while providing training and game opportunities that promote the continued improvement of ball skills in a pressure free environment.
On Thursday March 15th, as part of Council’s GAA Programme, 150 P6 and P7 boys and girls from 14 local primary schools will take part in a 9 a-side Gaelic football festival using two pitches played across the Brandywell Stadium.
Working in partnership with local organisations, Council’s Sport Development team will continue to have an ongoing role in planning and delivering programmes at the Brandywell site
For any further information regarding bookings or general Brandywell stadium enquiries, please contact Carole Daly Tel: 07925 891727 Email: [email protected]
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