By Brian
April 2 2009
Thrusday the 22 March 2007, planning permission was granted for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road. The planned changes proposed to turn the stadium into a 50,000 capacity, all seater, stadium. The project is a joint venture between the two main bodies involved in Lansdowne, the IRFU and the FAI.
The original plans were approved by Dublin City Council in July 2006 and the 22 March confirmation from An Bord Pleanala (Irish Planning Authority) meant the plan was full steam ahead.Work began soon after and through a period of four months, the old stadium was demolished and the new framework began. The completion date is set for early 2010 all going well.
The proposal is for a new, modernised stadium in fitting with other national stadiums, to match the quality and the amenities available to them. The boosted capacity of 50,000 will of course increase the numbers but also the revenue. It is an all seated, all encompassed under roof style stadium, however the roof will not extend over the pitch.
From a look at the official website, the main enhacements are as follows :
A more balanced, across the board network of access and egress routes which make it easier and more convenient for spectators to get to and leave the stadium relieving congestion on adjoining neighbours. These include underpasses which allow the level crossing gates for the Dart to be left permanently closed on match days.
Improved player facilities for home and away teams, custom designed to meet the requirements of the various codes. These include warm up rooms and state-of-the-art treatment facilities.
Enhanced press facilities for 200 journalists (increasing to 400 for certain events) including TV monitors, interview rooms and all modern connectivity requirements.
TV / Radio commentary boxes located on the upper level with optimum viewing locations and easy access to flash interview positions, backed up by a generous outside broadcasting vehicle area.
Provision of a large number of high quality toilets adequate both for match days and for events such as concerts where there may be a different mix of spectators.
Quality medical support facilities for both players and spectators.
Better facilities for disabled fans.
Wide concourses and comfortable spatial allowances to ensure easy circulation for spectators.
An architectural theme that is exciting and innovative in harmony with the surrounding cityscape.
Clear delineation between spectator and service areas ensuring that service and / or emergency vehicles need never compete with spectators for the same space.
A hi-tech communications nerve centre to allow for continuous monitoring of all aspects of the stadium, both inside and outside the ground.
Pitch floodlighting incorporated in the new stands.
Roof design that makes best use of available sunlight which is as low as physically possible while being compatible with cross-stadium viewing.
The naming rights of the stadium were secured, in one of the states largest sponsorship deals to date, by Hibernian Aviva, the countries largest insurance company. A 10 year naming rights package will provide funding for the stadiums completion and funding at grass roots level programmes for both the FAI and the IRFU.
The stadium has also secured the staging of the 2011 UEFA Europa League Final, a major coup for the Irish sporting bodies and the economy in general. John Delaney, the chief exec of the FAI was quoted with this comment “It really is a tremendous endorsement of just what is being achieved. I think it is fair to say that everyone in UEFA could see the potential of what we are developing. One has only to think of some of the other stadia that were in line for the Final to see just how world-class the facility we are building is going to be.”
Any more news and information will be updated here when and if it becomes available.


