The pitch damaged by flood at Institute’s Riverside stadium a fortnight ago
INSTITUTE FC is facing a £500,000 bill to repair the damage to its ground at Drumahoe following the thunderstorm and torrential rain two weeks ago.
The Riverside Stadium was overrun with water as Derry and many parts of the North West bore the brunt of last week’s storm.
Now ‘Stute’ are unlikely to play anymore games at its season for the rest of the season because of the extensive damage to the pitch, dugouts and stands.
The Irish FA has offered Institute the use of Windsor Park for one of their home matches this season.
The gate receipts from the match at the National Football Stadium will go to the Championship club in full.
Last week the IFA gave Institute £1,000 in emergency funds.
On the following morning, the flood water was still several feet high outside the Drumahoe venue after the nearby River Faughan burst its banks.
The day after the flooding, the IFA pitch consultants, CRL, were sent to the Riverside Stadium to assess the damage to the playing surface.
They have submitted a report to the club which will help guide Institute as they seek to restore the pitch to its former state.
The IFA has made an application to the UEFA hardship fund on the club’s behalf.
The hardship fund exists to help clubs rebuild after going through hardships such as that endured by the north west club.
On Wednesday night, Derry City played a friendly game against ‘Stute’ at Wilton Park with a bucket donation collection for the club.
