Work set to start on the redevelopment of Ravenhill

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DCAL Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín, pictured with Ulster Rugby Chief Executive, Shane Logan. Work on the redevelopment of Ravenhill is due to start on 26th November. Photo Dickson Digital

Ulster Rugby has secured £14.7 million of funding from the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure for the redevelopment of Ravenhill Rugby Grounds.

Construction work will begin on 26thNovember 2012 and will be complete by the summer of 2014. Three new stands will be built at the ground in a phased approach that will see capacity rise from 11,400 to 18,000.

Ulster Rugby Chief Executive, Shane Logan, said: ‘On behalf of Ulster Rugby I would like to thank the Minister and her Department for releasing this funding.

‘This investment will create a modern, state-of-the-art stadium with the highest standard of facilities for both supporters and players. The new Ravenhill will enhance the position of Ulster Rugby in the world game and will greatly benefit the development of rugby in the Province.’

Ulster Rugby has appointed Northern Ireland based general building contractor, Gilbert-Ash NI Ltd., to carry out the construction work. The first phase of the redevelopment will run from November 2012 until June 2013 and will see new stands built at both the Memorial and Aquinas ends of the ground.

The new Memorial End stand will provide covered seating for approximately 2,400 people with terracing for a further 1,350 fans. It will house a ticket office, a shop, a bar/catering facilities and a new educational facility. The educational facility will promote the benefits of nutrition, a healthy lifestyle and the values of sport.

The new Aquinas stand will be the new family area of the ground. It will provide covered seating for 2,100 people with terracing for a further 1,300 fans. It will house new team changing facilities, treatment rooms, an indoor training surface as well as match day media facilities. It will also become the Ulster Rugby Senior squad’s new training base with a state-of-the-art gym, meeting rooms and facilities.

Once the Memorial and Aquinas ends of the ground are complete, the second phase of construction will begin. This will run from July 2013 until August 2014 and will see the demolition of the existing main stand and the construction of a replacement grandstand built to accommodate 3,450 seated spectators with the new promenade providing standing for approximately 3,400 fans. This stand will also have bar and restaurant facilities. The existing promenade will also be upgraded.

With the increased number of spectators that the new-look ground will be able to hold, Ravenhill will be capable of hosting a RaboDirect PRO12 Final or a Heineken Cup Quarter Final.

Ulster Rugby is seeking a naming partner for the new stadium and is in discussion with a number of interested parties.

Ravenhill Fly Through

Is no one else worried that it’s taken 11 months to get to this stage?

https://www.thefrontrowunion.com/2012/01/at-long-last-stadium-redevelopment/


3 responses to “Work set to start on the redevelopment of Ravenhill”

  1. Johnny King

    I look forward to standing in front of the Carál Ní Chuilín stand.

  2. John

    Thanks for the update Rocky – my main concern was with the general bureaucracy that has forced UR to sit on it’s hands for the last 10 months – there could still be a few more “slips tween cup and lip” before this is all over!

    Not everything I write is critical of UR. 😆

  3. rocky

    Not really. Having seen the hoops to negotiate and fences to jump, I think they have moved it along absolutely as quickly as possible. One slight issue was the change to have the new training facility incorporated but I think it will be worth the minor delay. In addition, they have secured some extra funding to be able to have two big screens installed. All in all, I think they have done a great job so far. If you compare it with where the GAA and IFA are, you can see how well UR have done.

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