WORK on the £7 million regeneration of the iconic Brandywell football stadium is set to be completed in the next two months according to the local council.
The major capital investment project by Derry City and Strabane District Council is progressing well with the contractor continuing to work on site with the objective of having the project completed by the end of the year.
The regeneration project sees the completion of a new 955 seater stand that incorporates new changing rooms, media facilities, meeting spaces, safety control centre, along with standing accommodation for 270 spectators adjoining the new stand that will bring the existing capacity for the ground to approximately 3,700.
In addition to the stand, the project includes a synthetic turf pitch, a standalone dog track, the refurbishment of the south-end stand and additional car parking as well as substantial improvement works across the stadium, including the replacement of the existing boundary walls to the wider Brandywell site.
It is hoped the new facility will be ready to host some of Derry City Football Club’s preseason games for the 2018 League of Ireland season and the construction of the greyhound track in the Showgrounds section of the ground is also at an advanced stage with a view to being completed by the end of the year.
Contractors McAleer and Teague commenced works late last year on the project, funded by the council and Executive Office as part of the wider Brandywell/Daisyfield Masterplan.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Maolíosa McHugh, said he was looking forward to the completion of the project and acknowledged its significance in terms of investment not only for soccer and greyhound racing, but for the wider sports fraternity and the local community.
"This investment will help us to maximise its usage and its potential in terms of sport and event provision for the future.”
