Institute F.C. venue plans community core

Article posted by Coliseum, August 23^rd, 2024

Image: Institute FC

The Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) Championship team (Northern Ireland, UK) – the Institute Football Club – has taken a significant step towards writing a new chapter in its history.

‘BelfastLive’ stated that the Institute Football Club Chairman Bill Anderson has outlined plans for a modern new stadium for the Championship club with focus on the community.

The Northern Ireland Football League Championship (known as the Playr-Fit Championship for sponsorship reasons) is the second level of the Northern Ireland Football League, the national football league of Northern Ireland.

The Institute Football Club is a Northern Irish semi-professional association football club playing in the NIFL Championship. The club, founded in 1905, currently play their home matches at the Brandywell Stadium, Derry, UK.

The 3,700-capacity Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium is a Municipal football stadium in Derry, Northern Ireland, UK. It is the temporary abode of the Institute Football Club.

‘BelfastLive’ further stated that the ground will not only serve as a new home for the ‘Stute’ but also function as a vibrant community hub for the local area.

The plans include a 4G playing surface offering a total spectator capacity of 2,097. The main stand will cater for 1,116 spectators and incorporate changing rooms, toilets, a kitchen and canteen area, a function suite, physiotherapy and gym, a laundry room, office accommodation, and media rooms.

After submitting the plans, Anderson informed, “The stadium is designed in such a way that it’s for use by the whole community. It will, of course, primarily be for the Institute Football Club’s home games but we don’t believe that in today’s age there’s any point in having a football stadium used for just six or eight hours a week. It needs to be used all day, every day, for the benefit of the community.”

The Institute F.C. hopes they can receive a share of the stadium funding from Stormont (Parliament Buildings) to fulfill plans for a new home ground in the Waterside area of Derry. They were forced to leave their old Riverside Stadium home in 2017 after it was devastated by floods and subsequently infested with Japanese knotweed.

The Government funding for football in Northern Ireland was announced in May by the Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, vital cash that will benefit all levels of the game here.

The Institute F.C.’s proposed stadium will host a variety of sporting, educational and community activities catering to all age groups from the young people to the elderly.

Anderson stated the club’s commitment to creating a space that addresses the needs of the community ensuring that the stadium becomes a central fixture in the daily lives of the Waterside residents.

While the exact timeline for the stadium’s construction remains uncertain, Anderson indicated that the club would remain at the Brandywell Stadium for at least the next two seasons. In the interim, the focus will be on securing the necessary funding to bring the vision to life.

The Derry City and the Strabane District Council is inviting the public to give feedback on detailed proposals for green space, connecting the cycle paths and upgrades. One of the serious factors in choosing the new site was its safety from the environmental risks that plagued the Riverside Stadium.

Anderson reassured that the latest location, situated in the heart of Waterside and away from any rivers, has undergone thorough assessments – “We have already been involved in a great deal of community consultation before even getting to this stage. The club intends to continue this dialog working closely with the local groups to ensure the stadium meets their needs.”

The Chairman highlighted that the pitch is not just about the physical infrastructure but also about promoting the overall well-being, including psychological, emotional, social, and financial aspects. The undertaking aims to improve the quality of life for all the residents, regardless of age or background.

Regarding the planning process, Anderson expressed confidence in securing the necessary approvals. While acknowledging the due diligence required by the planners, he believes the club’s meticulous preparation and substantial investment in the project – over £100,000 to date – will pay off.

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