Sligo Rovers believe they will be able to access the public funding needed to complete an ambitious €17m revamp of their Showgrounds home which could have the Bit O’Red playing out of a 6,000 all-seater stadium in time for their centenary in 2028.
But given the delays to football stadium projects like Tallaght Stadium, Dalymount Park and Finn Harps’ new ground – where building work began in 2008 on a stadium which is still years away from completion – the club admit that having the team playing in UEFA Category 3 stadium within seven years “might be tight”.
Yet the club, who made their case with the publication today of their masterplan for the stadium and academy project, feel they have every right to think big. “We believe what we’re building for is the future of the club and make sure the club is on a good footing for the next 50 of 60 years,” says Sligo Rovers chairman Tommy Higgins.
“Yes, it’s ambitious, we understand that. But I firmly believe if a project is ambitious enough and good enough, it will come to fruition.
“We wouldn’t start off on this project if we weren’t confident we can pull it off. This is a necessity to keep this club going – it has been going for 93 years. I also believe in the League of Ireland, and if you believe in a project you will find a way to get it done. There is always a way, but you have to believe. We have a very very good group of people running the club at present, it is all voluntary and we all do it with a passion.”
Rovers have costed the project at €17.3m, arguing that local authority funding for Dalymount Park and Tallaght Stadium have set a precedent. “There will have to be a huge element of public funding in this and I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t apply. Bohemians are getting public funding, SDCC have provided a brand new stadium for Shamrock Rovers so there will have to be an element of public funding, no question,” Higgins added.
The club’s vision is to turn the Showgrounds into a 6,000 all-seater stadium, which would also be a community hub. “We want the Showgrounds used seven days a week, so we’ve a provision here for a restaurant, pharmacy, creche, gym, doctor’s surgery, clubhouse, offices,” says Higgins, with the plan also providing a more stable base for the club’s successful academy, which has fed players such as 17-year-old prospect Johnny Kenny into the first team under Liam Buckley this season.
Rovers also have the backing of Sligo Rugby club, who say they’d hope to see rugby events like provincial finals or U-20 internationals being played in the new ground. “Our stadium is empty from November for three or four months when it would be the height of the rugby season and would bring additional income into the club. That’s the thinking behind that. It’s the norm across Europe,” added Higgins.