Derry City Council has given the go-ahead for the redevelopment of Brandywell Sports Stadium with work, subject to planning permission, scheduled to begin next summer.
Brandywell Stadiium.
At their monthly meeting, councillors agreed to proposals to relocate the greyhound track to the adjacent Showgrounds, the provision of a synthetic playing surface to replace the existing grass playing area and four changing rooms to allow year round use for games and training.
Essential works to address some pressing health and safety issues at the stadium have been approved subject to planning permission.
Speaking after the meeting, the Mayor Cllr Martin Reilly said the development was a “very good news story” for the city and a “clear indication” of Council’s ongoing commitment to the Brandywell Stadium and the overall Foyle Valley Gateway Masterplan.
Mayor Reilly said: “Derry City Council has already committed £2.75m to the redevelopment of the Brandywell as part of our long term legacy commitment to the area.
“Council has been working in close partnership with all the statutory agencies and community sector towards securing much needed investment for the Brandywell and surrounding areas.
“This development plan will see better facilities for local sports clubs and community organizations and allow us to progress to the next stages of our plans to further regenerate and invest in this area of the city.
“We acknowledge the importance of the Brandywell Stadium site and believe this development plan meets the needs of all users and the public and will utilize the space available for all sports all year round.”
Stephen Gillespie, Strategic Director at Derry City Council said as part of the regeneration works, essential health and safety maintenance works would be carried out at the stadium and ongoing discussions would continue with the greyhound racing operators and Derry City FC to keep them informed of ongoing progress with the project.”
The Council backing comes just a few weeks after the Department of Cultural Arts and Leisure (DCAL) Minister Cará Ní Chuilín confirmed funding of £2 million for the Daisyfields and Showgrounds element of the Foyle Valley Gateway Masterplan and recent announcements from Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) through the Social Investment Fund (SIF) committing significant funding for pitches and community infrastructure as part of the wider regeneration project.
Ms Ní Chuilín said the investment was being made under DCAL’s top priority “To Promote Equality and tackle Poverty and Social Exclusion” and on the basis of targeting public resources at sectors of greatest inequality in areas of greatest objective need.
She added: “The Brandywell area of Derry is one of the most deprived in the North.
“It is essential that the City of Culture vision impacts meaningfully throughout the city and surrounding counties in coming years, and I am determined to make this happen. Additional money will continue to be sought over the same period for a range of other capital projects in Derry and neighbouring counties.”
It was agreed at the meeting that a comprehensive report on the project would be presented to members at a future meeting of Development Committee.
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