DROGS STADIUM SNUB A 'GUT-PUNCH' FOR TOWN
4 November 2024
Local Labour TD Ged Nash has said the decision by the FF & FG government not to fund the new Drogheda United stadium is a ‘gut punch’ for the town.
He said; “As the news of the snub filtered through on Sunday night, my heart sank. Our game is growing enormously. Attendances are through the roof. It has been self-evident for years that our club needs a new fit-for-purpose stadium with facilities all football fans, especially children and families, can enjoy.
“Louth County Council sees the need and potential. It’s why they provided the land and formal backing and support too for this Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund application (LSSIF), made in July.
“The news that Phase 2 of the PANCR is to proceed also addresses the infrastructure and access issue. All the ducks are in a row, including the professionalised on and off the field structure Trivela has established, which makes the refusal to fund the stadium all the more incomprehensible.
Deputy Ged Nash added that “The Council just last week confirmed that planning for the municipal pitches attached to the Drogheda United site is to proceed next year and in my view the entire campus would have been ready-made to develop a new community and multi-sports campus the likes of which a small city the size of Drogheda, needs, with the Drogs stadium project as the flagship project.
“I look forward to the explanation for this snub from those who are responsible for the allocation of these funds.
“We must not lose heart. The funding of our stadium will happen, just not under this administration.
“The LSSIF needs to become an annual funding opportunity rather than an occasional grant scheme from government if we are serious as a country in addressing our appalling facilities deficit across many sports, the most obvious of which being football.”
ENDS