Fresh plans have been lodged for the construction of a new Finn Harps stadium – almost 20 years after initial plans were approved and 10 years after work began.
The plans seek to build a 5580-capacity stadium on a site on Railway Road in Stranorlar where early works on the Donegal Community Stadium halted in 2014 due to the recession.
Now, the Finn Harps Co-Operative Society Ltd. is moving forward with plans to complete the structure and build a four stand stadium in a closed-bowl layout.
The club has secured €5.8 million in external funding and is proceeding with a number of initiatives including a fan shareholder scheme to deliver the stadium at €7.3 million.
When the stadium is complete the club are proposing to sell Finn Park in Ballybofey to repay its community finance loan of €1.1m.
Plans drawn up by architect Tony Carr propose to renovate the partially-built West Stand, and add a new ancillary building to house changing rooms, a gym, offices, corporate boxes, and meeting rooms. A new spectator terrace and amenity building will be added to the East Stand, while new spectator terraces will be built in both the North and South Stands.
Finn Harps application for the completion of the partially constructed football stadium at Railway Road Stranorlar. Image: Carr Architects
The pitch will be completed with drainage, goals, and fencing. Additionally, the site development will include 103 car parking spaces (6 accessible and 5 EV charging spots), bus parking, pedestrian routes, 40m tall floodlights, and landscaping.
Planning permission for the original 6600 capacity seated stadium was granted in 2005 but has since lapsed.
The refreshed plan “remains broadly the same” as what was approved in 2005 but will include additional ancillary accommodation to make the overall development more viable as a business model.
The design also now incorporates a Modular building system for the North, East & South Stands and Terraces and also incorporates changes necessary to comply with changes to building regulations since the original plans of 2005 were approved. In order to facilitate these changes a portion of the original partially constructed ancillary accommodation of the west will be demolished.
Finn Harps application for the completion of the partially constructed football stadium at Railway Road Stranorlar. View of West Stand facade entrance. Image: Carr Architects
In conclusion the application says that “Finn Harps need better facilities to keep pace with the other teams in the league of Ireland. The facilities at the existing Finn Park in Ballybofey have been deemed unsuitable for the fans and players alike to safely participate in the match fixtures and the FAI withdrawal of a Licence allowing Finn Harps to continue to play league of Ireland matches at Finn Park remain a threat to the viability and continued existence of the club.
It continued: “We hope and trust that the Planning Authority will now, once again, look favourably upon this application to allow this new stadium to finally complete after all the setbacks, disappointments and frustrations which have delayed the realisation of what represents a far-reaching and courageous vision for the future of the Club.”
