Thousands of People Will Pass Thru These Doors On July 31st Pic by Daniel Pitcher Copyright @Sportspeak.eu
An Taoseach, Brian Cowen officially opened the new Aviva Stadium at Lansdowne Road, earlier today. The stadium which will be the new home of Ireland’s international rugby and soccer teams is a joint venture by the IRFU and the FAI. Funding of €191 million was provided by the government for the project which came in slightly under the budgeted figure of €410 million.
Speaking at the official opening An Taoiseach said he believed that the new stadium was a tribute to all involved in the project given the fact that not alone had it come within the budgeted figure but that it had also been delivered on time in no less than three years. He especially thanked the board of the stadium company, which he said epitomised the partnership between the FAI and the IRFU in delivering an iconic stadium which he believed everyone in Ireland could and would justifiably be proud.
A Sneak Peak Inside What Used To Be Called Lansdowne Road. Pic by Daniel Pitcher Copyright @ Sportspeak.eu
Planning permission for the new stadium was received in 2007 with work on the site beginning two months later in May with the demolition of the old Lansdowne Road Stadium. From the start of demolition, through to the handing over of the stadium to the FAI and the IRFU, the project took slightly less than three years to complete.
The first fixtures in the new stadium will see an under 20’s Connacht/Munster rugby selection take on an under 20’s Leinster/Ulster selection on the 31st July, followed by an Airtricity League team playing Manchester United on 4th August. The first international will see Ireland’s soccer team playing former world champions Argentina on August 11th. The first rugby international will be Ireland facing current world champions South Africa on November 6th.
Irish Football Legends Ray Houghton and Keith Wood Discuss The Beauty of The Aviva. Pic by Daniel Pitcher Copyright @Sportspeak.eu
Speaking at the opening Mr Cowen said the new stadium would be of major economic benefit not alone to the city of Dublin but to the country as whole. “Sports tourism has become a major source of revenue worldwide. The IRFU and FAI have estimated that a minimum of five soccer and rugby internationals a year could be worth upwards of €250 million to the economy. When you factor in international events such as the Europa League Final in 2011 and the Heineken Cup Final in the not too distant future, the potential is huge”
Mr Philip Browne said “It only seems like yesterday that the IRFU and the FAI announced the formation of the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company. That was in September 2004 when all we had was a vision to create a world class sporting infrastructure that would do justice to our two most recognised international teams, which would also act as the financial engine to generate funding for the development of soccer and rugby in this country” he went on to thank all of those involved in the project. Over the course of the three years over 6,000 people had been involved with up to 1,300 people on the site at the busiest of times.
John Delaney, CEO of FAI and Phill Browne of IRFU. Pic by Daniel Pitcher Copyright @Sportspeak.eu
John Delaney, CEO of the FAI said “The opening of the Aviva Stadium and our new home marks a new chapter in the story of Irish football. It could not have been achieved without the unity, purpose and determination shown by the IRFU and the Government, our partners in this project.
Sportspeak reporter Daniel “Pitchside” Pitcher was at the opening of the stadium and the press conference. Click the links below to hear some of the conference.
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