Sligo Rovers lodge planning application for Showgrounds redevelopment masterplan

SLIGO Rovers’ ambitious redevelopment plan for The Showgrounds is moving forward this week as the club announced that a planning application for the first phase of their masterplan has been lodged with Sligo County Council.

It was confirmed yesterday, Wednesday, that the application, prepared by Rhatigan Architects, was submitted with details outlining what the first phase will entail.

The application includes details of the minimum requirements to bring The Showgrounds up to a UEFA Category 3 standard stadium. Details on the planning application are as follows: Seated stadium capacity to be of more than 6,000 seats; Construction of a new stand at the Church Hill Road End (approx. 1,159 seats); Construction of a new stand in place of the current Jinks Avenue Stand (approx. 2,110 seats); Minor alterations of the Treacy Avenue Stand, including the erection of a TV gantry at the rear of the stand which will remove circa 100 seats; Roofing the existing Pet Stop End; Upgrade of the grounds’ turnstiles to meet minimum standards for increased capacity by providing additional turnstiles for away supporters at the rear of the new Jinks Avenue Stand; Upgrade of the car park to the Jinks Avenue side of the astro pitch including resurfacing, line marking and lighting; Upgrade the playing surface to a higher specification whilst enlarging the pitch towards Churchill Road to circa 106m in length to meet UEFA Category 3 pitch size standards.

The new stands will accommodate multipurpose spaces, match night catering facilities, shop, gym, corporate and sponsors facilities, offices

A PAIR of Sligo voices provided the RTE commentary on Tuesday morning as Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina 2-1 in one of the biggest shocks to ever happen in the tournament’s 92-year history.

Adrian Eames and Alan Cawley called the game as an early Lionel Messi goal looked as it it would open the floodgates for one of the tournament favourites. After their highline forced a number of offsides, they made it count as Saleh Alshehri and Salem Aldasawri found the back of the net for the underdogs, while goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais earned the Player of the Match award after making a string of fine saves.

This was Adrian’s first game of the tournament (he also commentated on and meeting rooms, new media centre, changing rooms to serve the existing astroturf pitch, toilets and ancillary spaces.

The stands have been designed with a focus on capturing the special match-night atmosphere in the Showgrounds, with the three new roofs joined to enhance the feeling of enclosure and to assist in capturing and containing the noise of the supporters.

Externally, the exposed concrete structure will provide a strong new aesthetic to the grounds as fans enter via Churchill Road.

Following a successful application for Sports Capital Funding, the club is also about to go to tender for the upgrade of the floodlights to UEFA standards through the provision of two new corner columns in line with previous planning application and the retrofitting of the existing floodlights on the Treacy Avenue side with LEDs.

Following receipt of planning permission in early 2023, the club will then pursue various funding streams to bring this to the next stage which will include detail design and tendering.

Commenting on this progression of the masterplan, Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins said: “This is a great day for Sligo Rovers Football Club and the first phase of our masterplan we announced last year.

“In order to stay competitive in the Premier Division we have to bring more income into the club and The Showgrounds redevelopment is a vital part of our plans.”

Rovers treasurer David Rowe said: “The completion of the development of The Showgrounds outlined in the masterplan would be a game

Sligo duo commentate on Saudi Arabia’s shock World Cup win against Argentina

Croatia versus Morocco yesterday, Wednesday) while Alan had provided co-commentary on Monday for the Netherlands’ 2-0 win over Senegal.

In the following fixture between Tunisia and Denmark, viewers were treated to another local voice as west Sligo native Cathal Mullaney provided commentary where he was joined by former League of Ireland player Stuey Byrne.

With four games per day scheduled, with kick-off times of 10am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm Irish time until Friday, December 2, when the groups conclude, you can be sure that we will be hearing plenty of Sligo accents in the coming weeks. -changer for the club’s finance, in addition to providing our supporters in the community with a well-deserved state of the art facility.”

FAI CEO Jonathan Hill said: “Sligo Rovers to me epitomise all that is great about League of Ireland football with their commitment to providing the best pathways for male and female players of all ages. “These plans for The Showgrounds also confirm the club’s desire to provide the very best facilities for all their players, members and supporters.

“They provide an example of how we can all work together – our clubs, the FAI and local and national government – to drive Irish football forward within the framework of our FAI Strategy 2022-2025.”

League of Ireland director Mark Scanlon said: “Sligo is and always has been a hotbed of football and these ambitious plans for the future of The Showgrounds reflect the desire of Sligo Rovers FC to be at the heart of the game in a real football town.

“We support these exciting plans for the new stadium which will provide modern facilities for the fans to enjoy and a fitting stage for Sligo football for many years to come.” Walter Holleran, FAI Head of Grant Funding & Infrastructure Development said: “The FAI welcomes the announcement by Sligo Rovers of their application for planning permission for the redevelopment of The Showgrounds stadium. “The ambition shown by the club within these plans should be commended and we look forward to working with the club on the development of the stadium and all facilities for all their teams.”

SLIGO County Council has refuted suggestions that public seating in the Rockwood Parade area of Sligo town has been removed in an attempt to curb anti-social behaviour in the area.

Last week the local authority was contacted by the Sligo