Harps get stadium boost
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Struggling Finn Harps have been handed a major boost with the news that a drawdown of €125,000 has been approved for their new stadium.
The Donegal club, who only won their first game of the season on Thursday night, were facilitated in the drawdown by Minister of State Michael Ring TD.
The news means that work on their new 6,600 seated stadium in Stranorlar can begin in earnest - and they hope to have the stadium completed in 'two to three years'.
The project was first mentioned to shareholders at the club's AGM in 2004, and while planning permission was granted a year later, legalities significantly stalled the advancement of the development.
The last of the legal red tape was cleared in January and yesterday's confirmation of the funding drawdown, made by Donegal-based Fine Gael TD Dinny McGinley, will come as a major boost to the cash-strapped club.
When completed, the stadium - which will be situated next to the Finn Valley Athletic Club - will incorporate 6,800 covered seats, along with an administration building, with modern dressing rooms and all facilities required by UEFA Licensing. An additional junior soccer pitch is also being provided, with local Donegal League club Ballybofey United set to take up residence on this pitch.
Finn Harps Chairman Joey O’Leary expressed his delighted with the news. “The club are indebted to all the members of the Ground Development Committee who have been involved at various stages of the development, as well as our legal representatives, the local Trust, Donegal County Council, our local councillors and TD’s, the FAI, and other local organisations who have assisted and facilitated the Club," he said.
A club statement issued today welcomed the announcement.
"Finn Harps are delighted with yesterday’s Government announcement that the first drawdown of stadium grant funding has been approved," it read.
"The announcement finally puts to bed concerns and doubts that supporters have had regarding the project, and the club is now looking forward to completing the new stadium over the next few years. The builder will be on site shortly, and fans can expect to see significant progress over the summer months. This is great news for soccer in Donegal. We hope to have the stadium completed in 2 to 3 years.
"Different hurdles presented themselves at various stages, but all parties involved have worked towards their resolution."
The Donegal club, who only won their first game of the season on Thursday night, were facilitated in the drawdown by Minister of State Michael Ring TD.
The news means that work on their new 6,600 seated stadium in Stranorlar can begin in earnest - and they hope to have the stadium completed in 'two to three years'.
The project was first mentioned to shareholders at the club's AGM in 2004, and while planning permission was granted a year later, legalities significantly stalled the advancement of the development.
The last of the legal red tape was cleared in January and yesterday's confirmation of the funding drawdown, made by Donegal-based Fine Gael TD Dinny McGinley, will come as a major boost to the cash-strapped club.
When completed, the stadium - which will be situated next to the Finn Valley Athletic Club - will incorporate 6,800 covered seats, along with an administration building, with modern dressing rooms and all facilities required by UEFA Licensing. An additional junior soccer pitch is also being provided, with local Donegal League club Ballybofey United set to take up residence on this pitch.
Finn Harps Chairman Joey O’Leary expressed his delighted with the news. “The club are indebted to all the members of the Ground Development Committee who have been involved at various stages of the development, as well as our legal representatives, the local Trust, Donegal County Council, our local councillors and TD’s, the FAI, and other local organisations who have assisted and facilitated the Club," he said.
A club statement issued today welcomed the announcement.
"Finn Harps are delighted with yesterday’s Government announcement that the first drawdown of stadium grant funding has been approved," it read.
"The announcement finally puts to bed concerns and doubts that supporters have had regarding the project, and the club is now looking forward to completing the new stadium over the next few years. The builder will be on site shortly, and fans can expect to see significant progress over the summer months. This is great news for soccer in Donegal. We hope to have the stadium completed in 2 to 3 years.
"Different hurdles presented themselves at various stages, but all parties involved have worked towards their resolution."
About Chris McNulty
Chris McNulty is one of extratime's Northwest correspondents, covering Finn Harps and Derry City. Has worked as a sports writer with the Donegal News since 2007. View Full Profile