Sligo Rovers Football Club has received final grant of Planning Permission from Sligo County Council for the development of the Showgrounds.
The plan is a central part of the club’s new Masterplan, which was first published in 2021.
The planning permission will allow the redevelopment of the Showgrounds to exceed the minimum requirements of a UEFA Category 3 stadium to include:
- Redevelopment of the Showgrounds to be an all-seated stadium with a capacity in excess of 6,100 seats
- Construction of a new Spectator Stand at the Church Hill Road End (approx. 1,370 seats),
- Construction of a new Spectator Stand in place of the current Jinks Avenue Stand (approx. 2,060 seats),
- Minor alterations to the Tracey Avenue Stand including the erection of a TV gantry at the rear of the stand, screening to side elevations and the provision of new toilets beneath,
- Provision of a cantilevered roof to the existing Pet Stop End,
- Provision of additional turnstiles at the rear of the new Jinks Avenue Stand for away supporters,
- Upgrade of the carparking facilities on site including resurfacing, line marking and lighting,
- Upgrade of the playing surface to a higher specification whilst enlarging the pitch towards Church Hill Road to meet UEFA Category 3 pitch size standards.
The club’s next step is to have the detailed designs and tender completed at the earliest possible date.
Once these are completed, Rovers say they will be in a position to pursue funding streams to enable the main construction works to start.
In the meantime, it is expected that work will begin this season on upgrading of floodlights to UEFA standards.
“Our target is to have a new state of the art stadium and related facilities completed in advance of the Club’s Centenary in 2028 and the granting of planning permission represents a major step forward,” said Tommy Higgins, Chairperson of Sligo Rovers FC.
“Funding is a huge challenge but we believe the project represents a very worthy investment from many perspectives for the Club, the community and the region.
Sligo Rovers stadium planning application was prepared by Rhatigan Architects and lodged with Sligo County Council last November.
