With preseason closing in, I was just wondering if the new pitch has been completed. I haven't heard anything or been around the sportsgrounds this summer. As far as I recall it was due to be done during the offseason as the first phase of the new stadium.

Yep was hoping that this would be a funding announcement more so when I heard Leo was in town...can't imagine we will start meaningful construction work this year at this rate?? Bit of a case of Show me the moneeeyyyyyyy!!!

www.connachtrugby.ie/taoiseach-visits-sp...l-planning-approval/

Nice PR ahead of the elections, but no actual commitment to the 20 mil that they say is now critical ...

I read that myself, didn't realise there was such a difference in lighting when the games aren't televised also. Real interesting stuff to read when you've tonnes of more important things for doing

Report in the Tribune about the PP: connachttribune.ie/any-gigs-in-new-sport...ning-permission-101/

I was having a great read of some off the documents in the planning application yesterday. Fascinating stuff for stadium nerds. They had to submit a map of the pitch showing the lighting levels at various points on it when the floodlights are on. Handy to know so you can take tap-and-go penalties when you're in a dark spot

Showing up as Decision Made on the council website now alright.
geo.galwaycity.ie/ePlan5/AppFileRefDetails/18402/0

It does look like a decision was granted! Nothing up on geo.galwaycity.ie yet, so it might be the case that there are conditions etc. that need to be gone through before they can square away the planning. Obviously, have to wait and see whether there are any objections and appeals etc.

You can actually have a read of the letter sent in to the City Council. Two or three letters of support (from TDs, Galway Chamber of Commerce) one objecting specefically to the Greyhounds on animal cruelty grounds, and then a few from residents mainly asking about traffic, lighting and events. Looks like some of the bigger lighting queries were dealt with by a further report from the engineers etc. Interesting stuff.

Quite apart from the planning, need to get money in. Best will in the world, can't see any project of this scale getting going in a month or two if money isn't already in place!

Only seeing this today so I'm slightly dubious, but the story appears to be from Thursday. Planning approved? If true, seems like we could be watching the last game on grass at the sportsground in a couple of weeks time?

connachttribune.ie/city-council-planners...of-the-sportsground/

They ranked them in order of preference with the Sportsground at the top.
So that's good news, no?
Can't get higher than number one!
As local authority decision-making processes go, this all seems eminently reasonable to me.

Newname wrote: Isn't the local elections happening fairly soon.
Doubt if they will have any decision before that for fear of annoying any group.

Think you've hit the nail on the head. Elections are on May 23, so there will be no decision - or repercussions - before then, and who's going to remember that Galway didn't get funding in 2019 when the next elections come round in 2024?

Edit: The DDTAS application form is not submitted by the local authority (anyone with an endorsement from the governing body of a sport can do so), but it must be endorsed by the local council. There is a field in the local authority endorsement asking for the rank/importance of the project in the local authority area (1, 2, 3 etc.). So the issue is as much with the process as our councillors it seems.

Is there a public record of how the councillors voted?

Isn't the local elections happening fairly soon.
Doubt if they will have any decision before that for fear of annoying any group.

So they were asked to pick one project and they neither managed to pick one project nor to refuse to pick one.

I think I just detached a retina from eye-rolling too hard. If ever any more evidence was needed of the absolute inveterate incompetence of the city council. Such a shamefully useless non-decision from these Muppets, stealing a living from the public purse.

So they didn't bother choosing... plonkers!

galwaybayfm.ie/galway-bay-fm-news-desk/c...-government-funding/