THERE are fresh calls for the new Government to aid Finn Harps’ plans to progress their new stadium in Stranorlar.
Earlier this year, Donegal County Council has made a commitment to support and assist Harps as they attempt to gain funding for their new stadium.
Now, Ballybofey-based Fine Gael Councillor Martin Harley has called on the next Government to progress a proposed grant of €3.9million for the stadium redevelopment project.
“I understand Minister for Sport Brendan Griffin has confirmed that he is in favour of Government paying out a grant of almost €4m for Finn Harps for the club’s stadium project,” Cllr Harley said.
“The onus now lies on the next senior minister in that department to back the proposal and secure a sports ground and facilities that the Donegal club deserves.
“The original application for Government funding for the ‘Donegal Stadium’ fell just short of qualifying criteria under the Large Scale Sporting Infrastructure Scheme under the Sports Capital programme in January of this year but the commitment secured from Minister Griffin at the time was for the proposal to be reviewed under a due diligence process.
“Considerable work has been done on that since then. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has continued to engage with the FAI in respect of the financial projections for the project and in the meantime Minister Griffin has stepped in and said he supports the substantial funding package for the club’s plans.
“Like me, Minister Griffin sees the massive potential and the sporting and community value in backing the proposal. Now the responsibility to drive this project on lies with the next minister in that department, as well as the Football Association of Ireland, which has to give masterplan the priority it deserves.
“I am determined to continue to keep the pressure on for that, just like was needed to secure the grant for the masterplan and just like was needed to secure the review of the proposal over the last few months.”
