thomond park redevelopment

[justnotbothered]

looking good gotta say. The fact that they demolished those crappy nearby houses also helps its image a lot too. Hopefully the development of the stadium will help regenerate that whole area which if you've ever driven in that area needs to be completely demolished.

Ah that area is slowly coming up in the world, it's the real far side of Moyross where the greatest problems are now. Places like Thomondgate still have massive issues obviously, but they seem to be progressing forward.

I wonder what kind of impact the new Thomond will have on the area, especially if they get licenses for concerts there? Can only be positive.

[CologneMike]

Update Thomond Park (as seen on other Forum / Blog)

Photos courtesy of carriecott (munsterfans.com) and Paddy (Limerickblogger Posts 3806 3739)

Thomond Roof Supports Arrive (According to Point)

The first steel supports for the roof of the new stand in Thomond Park will be bought on site over the next few weeks.
Motorists are being advised of the movement of the abnormally sized loads starting from 10 O’Clock tonight.

The steel sections, each about 85foot long, and 15 foot wide will be transported on telescopic extendable trailers from Foynes in County Limerick.

[demolition man]

I'd like to know what people would think of Limerick 37 becoming tennants in the redeveloped stadium?

The idea was put out in another forum by a certain anti-archiseek poster.Seeing as this poster does'nt come on here, as we're all cluless idiots in his eyes, i'd like to gauge what the reaction to it would be here.

Personnally think it would be a brilliant cross sporting gesture and help stabilise a struggling club.

[Paul Clerkin]

it's a good idea - turns thomond park into a city stadium

[justnotbothered]

It's a good idea, don't forget, Limerick FC did play games in the old Thomond and there's there's no bar to them doing so in the future.

Limerick soccer is going through a rough patch at the minute but certainly I think most sports fans would be delighted to see them bringing titles back to Limerick.

[Mack1]

I'd like to know what people would think of Limerick 37 becoming tennants in the redeveloped stadium?

The idea was put out in another forum by a certain anti-archiseek poster.Seeing as this poster does'nt come on here, as we're all cluless idiots in his eyes, i'd like to gauge what the reaction to it would be here.

Personnally think it would be a brilliant cross sporting gesture and help stabilise a struggling club.

It was I that put up the posting and I never said anything anti-archiseek or do I conider anyone clueless idiots.

[Maskhadov]

they should have put the new stadium in a better site.... it cant really be extended much on two sides.

[GregF]

This looks cool......glad to see it well underway. A great contemporary addition to Limerick.

[Rory W]

they should have put the new stadium in a better site.... it cant really be extended much on two sides.

Tradition

[CologneMike]

Munster’s first Heineken home game against ASM Clermont Auvergne on the 18th of November at Thomond Park looks to be very tight. I think the plan is to have one stand open plus the terraces behind the goal????

Below an aerial image, from around the end of August.

Here a link to recent images.

[Paul Clerkin]

won't there be safety issues - it is a building site afterall

[CologneMike]

won't there be safety issues - it is a building site afterall

Hmmmm…… Paul, definitely a new Munster fan merchandise opportunity here for 10.000 red hard hats and 10.000 red steel-capped wellies!]http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-38637167768280_1972_51402431[/IMG]

To be sure it will be a steward’s nightmare keeping x-thousand non-ticket holders at bay. With the perimeter wall gone and if anarchy beckons, expect an almighty scrum to mount the crane mast!

[Paul Clerkin]

Just thinking in terms of insurance - it will be hard to find a company to underwrite the game

[who_me]

As CologneMike said, that image is from 2 months ago, there has been considerable progress since then. I presume at some point soon, they'll need to pause construction and just work on getting everything tucked away and ready for the game.

[CologneMike]

Just thinking in terms of insurance - it will be hard to find a company to underwrite the game

I would think the insurance company would like to see a health and safety clearance done first by the relevant authority (Fire Chief?).

It’s does seem to be a reckless attempt to have the East Stand finished by November 18th , especially when the 50.000 Pairc na nGael Stadium just lies there idle a couple hundred yards down the road.

I can’t understand how Croke Park can accommodate Landsdowne Road during their reconstruction in Dublin, but a reciprocal arrangement in Limerick for Thomond Park could not be achieved?

Below Pairc na nGael Stadium and Thomond Park’s East Stand (J McCoy)

[CologneMike]

Thomond rises from the rubble

By JOHN HOGAN Limerick Leader

THOMOND Park is set to rise from the rubble once again as builders prepare the ground for its first Heineken Cup game since Munster's only ever defeat in the competition to Leicester Tigers last January.

While the naming rights to the famous ground have been a source of controversy over the last number of months, it is safe to say the ground will still be named Thomond Park for the visit of ASM Clermont Auvergne on Sunday, November 18.

Pat Whelan, chairman of the Thomond Park Redevelopment Committee said the new stadium is starting to take shape and supporters who come to the first game will be able to get a glimpse of what to expect when it is completed.

"It's starting to get exciting, the terraces are fully completed and a lot of one stand is more or less completed. For the first match against Clermont Auvergne, there will be 200 seats occupied in the stand and all the other fans will be in the terrace or in the temporary stands at each corner."

For the first Heineken Cup game of the 2007/2008 season, Thomond Park will have a capacity of around 12,000. The 200 seats in the new stand will be taken by ERC officials, members of the Munster Branch and players and coaching staff from the two teams.

The stadium is due to be completed by August 2008 at which point it will have a capacity of 26,000.The new ground will feature two new stands adjacent to the existing main pitch, offering a seating capacity of 15,000 and terrace capacity of just over 11,000. The total cost of the redevelopment is estimated to be €40m.

Mr Whelan pointed out that during the course of the development, construction workers have been very careful to stay outside the pitch bounds. He maintains the hallowed turf on which so many famous victories have taken place, has remained virtually untouched.

Ken Lyons, former president of the Munster Branch and current member of the Thomond Park Development Committee, says the opening game of the new season will be a showcase for the progress that has been made so far. "It's looking brilliant and all the signs are that the health and safety people will give us the go ahead today," said Mr Lyons this Thursday.

"Hegarty's have done a fantastic job and have complied with every request we have made."

The former president is hopeful that Munster can get off to a winning start in their new but familiar surroundings.
"The old stadium finished up with our first defeat in the Heineken Cup but hopefully we will set out our marker for the season in the new ground with a victory."

02 November 2007

Some September images from inside the ground. Courtesy Munster Rugby

[CologneMike]

Here an up to date image from the very same source.

[Goofy]

The Construction of the roof structure has begun.




Courtesy of jmccoy from Munsterfans

[CologneMike]

East Stand



Plenty of images about of the “building site” at today’s game in Thomond Park. It must have been a very dull day (apart from the result;)) with the floodlights switched on at 13:00! Here views courtesy of Tippryan and BlackWarrior.

[CologneMike]

West Stand

Courtesy of BlackWarrior.

[vkid]

it really is going to be dominant on the skyline when its finished..you can really see the effect it will have coming in on the Shannon dual carriageway. Good addition to Limerick

[Goofy]

Here is another picture "borrowed" from munsterfans.com

It is only the first section of the arch. another section will be added to either end soon

[Peter Fitz]

they're really flying with this, going to be a great little stadium when done

[vkid]

its really taking shape alright. Surprised how big it actually is and so dominant on the skyline. One of the roof trusses/arch is in place now and you really get a feel for the size of it! For a 26K stadium it is so much more impressive than the 55k Gaelic Grounds down the road..

Picture totally robbed from this thread on Munsterfans! Loads more on that thread

From the City Centre

[CologneMike]

It is only the first section of the arch. another section will be added to either end soon

It already visually dwarfs everything on the Thomond Gate side of the town!

“Bock the Robber” drew my attention to the following images on his blog.

Bruff Rugby Club

Construction Photoset Gallery (courtesy Richard Leonard) 22.11.2007 23.11.2007