LEINSTER AND THE Royal Dublin Society announced their plan to redevelop the RDS this afternoon by opening an international architecture competition for the design.
Here’s everything you need to know about their early ideas.
What will the capacity be when the redevelopment is complete?
The RDS will be boosted from an 18,000 capacity up to 25,000.
When will work start and finish?
Leinster and the RDS expect that work will get underway by April 2016 at the latest, and finish around September 2017.
What’s actually involved in the redevelopment?
The Anglesea Stand will be completely rebuilt to include additional seating, corporate hospitality areas and media facilities.
On top of that, there will be additional seating added around the existing North, South and Grand stands. Toilets, catering and other match day amenities will also be improved.
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Will there be any standing room for the Leinster die-hards?
Leinster chief executive Mick Dawson says he feels “Ulster have too many people standing” in the redeveloped and renamed Kingspan Stadium, but does expect that work in the RDS will include one terrace in the new Anglesea Stand.
“We’re looking in front of the new stand, that there’ll be about 1,500 people on a terrace there,” says Dawson. “Everyone else will be seated.”
How much will it all cost?
The initial budget has been set at €20 million.
And who is paying that €20 million?
“The funding of it is the responsibility of the RDS,” answers RDS chief executive Duffy. “We just have to ensure that the profiling of the funding is satisfactory to the RDS.”
So Leinster will be paying nothing for the right to play in a redeveloped and high-quality stadium? Not so. The province are heading into the eighth season of a 20-year lease of the RDS, which doesn’t come cheaply.
Will the naming rights be sold?
“The naming rights will be part of the whole funding operation,” says Dawson. “Hopefully this press launch will get the message out there that it’s something that’s going to happen.”
Duffy concurs, pointing out that naming rights for the stadium would be “a very attractive proposition” and one that will be an “important part of the mix” in terms of funding.
Would there be a preference for a Dublin-based sponsor or will the RDS and Leinster look internationally?
“It really is very open-ended,” outlines Dawson. “There’s a lot of money involved, so there aren’t really that many iconic brands in Ireland that have that sort of money.
“Naming rights is something that’s a timing issue. Look at the Aviva Stadium, when Aviva were re-branding and it was just the right time for them. Hopefully this message gets out there and people are knocking on the RDS’ door.”
The RDS should be redeveloped by September 2017. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“If someone wants to give you €20 million over 10 years, it would be fantastic, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen!”
How will the stadium be affected during the building process?
With the Anglesea Stand out of action, that means wiping 5,500 off the RDS’ capacity. However, temporary seating on the other three stands will compensate for that, meaning a total net loss of 3,000 to 4,000 during the development.
“We have about 2,500 season ticket holders in the Anglesea Stand,” says Dawson. “The hope would be that we can get some form of temporary seating for them, build around them to a certain extent. There will be a bit of pain, but hopefully we can sell it to them.
Can Leinster regularly fill a 25,000-capacity stadium?
“We often have this philosophical discussion in the office after we go to the Aviva and say ‘Where are those people every other week?’ admits Dawson.
“I think the quality of the seat is important to people and I think we’re a bit short of the quality at the moment between the two 22s, so I believe that the extra supply will create new demand. The onus on us is to make sure the team is competitive. We’re trying to drive this business, which is still a very new business, but I’d be very optimistic.”
Hope they have wheelchair positions with good views. The Aviva stadium is excellent but Croke park is a disaster for wheelchair supporters as they are put behind the crowd who block the view when they stand up.
Great news and a very constructive partnership with the RDS. Hopefully that relationship never breaks down though.
Probably good idea to put in good corporate boxes and hospitality stuff. As great as the GAA is international staff at Facebook, Google, etc are probably going to be more into the rugby than the GAA. RCC games have international prestige. Huge amounts of money to be made which can help close the gap between Ireland and the UK/France without screwing the average fan.
Remember the emirates stadium corporate bits earn more than the entire old Highbury stadium. As much as everyone hates the prawn cocktail brigade they pay the bills.
Fantastic news! This will help step up our bid for the RWC 2023! Would love the Sportsground in Galway to get a revamp. Connacht Rugby is growing! Also, with the GAA redeveloping Casement and Pairc UI Chaoimh, Has any attention been given to Pearse or McHale for further development?
The IRFU doesn’t own the stadium, they have significant debts on the Aviva, the recession has crimped revenue, they can’t be sure they would fill an even bigger stadium. Building one new stand allows the stadium to stay in use through the building and bring in revenue. They can always expand the other stands later if needed.
I didn’t see many munsterfans at the Leinster-Northampton game last year, or the Clermont-Leinster game the previous year. Maybe think about what you are saying before you make a studpid comment :)
“Ulster have too many people standing” I think the fans would disagree Mick. There’s a reason Ulster and Munster have so much terrace space. And I’ve heard plenty of Leinster fans complaining about how little terrace space there is in the RDS.
Taxpayers money handed to the Banks to pay professional Rugby was taken from the poorest in society and now they want more revenue. I understand promoting the game and commerce but like Garyh Brooks these are luxury problems. The members of the RDS are selling their values to Rugby people who have no moral compass.
Not too sure what your on. Ever second week 25,000 attend the RDS in the Pro 12 season. Say 10% are visiters spending on average minimum €200 -€500 for the weekend in the local economy I thought that might just create a bit of employment for the lest well of if it’s even just to give them part time work. Maybe I’m wrong?
Flash, there must not be any paving or tarmacing to be done in Rathkeale today seeing that you are on the “slag off Leinster chip on your shoulder” bandwagon. ;)
Not just leinster rugby gary, trash gordon/elrat makes a two word comment on everything or anything to do with dublin. Feel sorry for the little boy, must be lonely on his farm.
Another stadium in leinster being devleoped, pairc ui chaoimh in munster, casement park in ulster. Surely to god there is a bit of funding to upgrade hyde park in roscommon. Great location for a possibly great stadium, middle of the country and in the best county of ireland! Up the ros!
RDS doesn’t meet expanding. 18,000 is more than enough, and when it isn’t enough they move to the Aviva. I would rather have a usually full smaller stadium than an empty big one.
Although what they do need to do is upgrade some of the stands, enclose them so voices carry. The atmosphere is alright at the best of times and the stadium doesn’t help with that at all.
Also Leinster will need to start winning again in Europe if they have a hope of filling a 25,000 seater stadium because the RDS is barely full throughout the year.
Also getting rid of the standing sections is stupid. That’s where most of the real fans go and it offers a cheaper ticket.
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Hope they have wheelchair positions with good views. The Aviva stadium is excellent but Croke park is a disaster for wheelchair supporters as they are put behind the crowd who block the view when they stand up.
Any residents committees to consult with first?
Good on them. Wish them all the best.
Great news and a very constructive partnership with the RDS. Hopefully that relationship never breaks down though.
Probably good idea to put in good corporate boxes and hospitality stuff. As great as the GAA is international staff at Facebook, Google, etc are probably going to be more into the rugby than the GAA. RCC games have international prestige. Huge amounts of money to be made which can help close the gap between Ireland and the UK/France without screwing the average fan.
Remember the emirates stadium corporate bits earn more than the entire old Highbury stadium. As much as everyone hates the prawn cocktail brigade they pay the bills.
Fantastic news! This will help step up our bid for the RWC 2023! Would love the Sportsground in Galway to get a revamp. Connacht Rugby is growing! Also, with the GAA redeveloping Casement and Pairc UI Chaoimh, Has any attention been given to Pearse or McHale for further development?
I doubt the RDS would be used. Lansdowne and Croker will be used in Dublin. Can’t see them using three venues in the same city.
Will still be smaller than Thomand. I would have thought given the population of Leinster that they would have the largest stadium.
The IRFU doesn’t own the stadium, they have significant debts on the Aviva, the recession has crimped revenue, they can’t be sure they would fill an even bigger stadium. Building one new stand allows the stadium to stay in use through the building and bring in revenue. They can always expand the other stands later if needed.
The IRFU is a pretty sensible organisation.
Plus they own the Aviva Stadium. Pro 12 in the RDS and some RCC matches in the Aviva might be idea.
There’s no point in a bigger stadium. Larger than 25K and you’re talking Aviva anyway.
“We often have this philosophical discussion in the office after we go to the Aviva and say ‘Where are those people every other week?’ admits Dawson.
They’re Munster fans Mr. Dawson.
I didn’t see many munsterfans at the Leinster-Northampton game last year, or the Clermont-Leinster game the previous year. Maybe think about what you are saying before you make a studpid comment :)
“Ulster have too many people standing” I think the fans would disagree Mick. There’s a reason Ulster and Munster have so much terrace space. And I’ve heard plenty of Leinster fans complaining about how little terrace space there is in the RDS.
Would you fit a country singer in with a few gaa fans around mid July …. That might cover some of the cost
An awful lot of horseshit comes out of the rds, therefore make your own mind up about this story
Taxpayers money handed to the Banks to pay professional Rugby was taken from the poorest in society and now they want more revenue. I understand promoting the game and commerce but like Garyh Brooks these are luxury problems. The members of the RDS are selling their values to Rugby people who have no moral compass.
Not too sure what your on. Ever second week 25,000 attend the RDS in the Pro 12 season. Say 10% are visiters spending on average minimum €200 -€500 for the weekend in the local economy I thought that might just create a bit of employment for the lest well of if it’s even just to give them part time work. Maybe I’m wrong?
If there are 25,000 there every 2weekend why are they increasing it to 25,000?????
Taxpayers’ money?
I get what you’re saying Mark, but current capacity is 18,000. That’s why they’re increasing to 25,000.
We dont need another big stadium in Dublin correct me if I am wrong.
I wouldn’t say a 25,000 capacity stadium is big.
Thor, you’re wrong.
Really, 25000 a big stadium,hahaha, get real pal.
The Garth Brooks Arena maybe ?
L’Oreal ?
Flash, there must not be any paving or tarmacing to be done in Rathkeale today seeing that you are on the “slag off Leinster chip on your shoulder” bandwagon. ;)
Not just leinster rugby gary, trash gordon/elrat makes a two word comment on everything or anything to do with dublin. Feel sorry for the little boy, must be lonely on his farm.
Ah Gary the number 2 Gombeen Stalker – can’t be long now before your idiot pal James from Donabate will be along!
Wow Got a new Stalker in twerp another Lonster lady boy !! One at a time girls!!
You stay classy thrash, eh flash!
Another stadium in leinster being devleoped, pairc ui chaoimh in munster, casement park in ulster. Surely to god there is a bit of funding to upgrade hyde park in roscommon. Great location for a possibly great stadium, middle of the country and in the best county of ireland! Up the ros!
Mickey Stroker
What has the RDS being redeveloped got to do with funding for Hyde Park in Roscommon???
RDS doesn’t meet expanding. 18,000 is more than enough, and when it isn’t enough they move to the Aviva. I would rather have a usually full smaller stadium than an empty big one.
Although what they do need to do is upgrade some of the stands, enclose them so voices carry. The atmosphere is alright at the best of times and the stadium doesn’t help with that at all.
Also Leinster will need to start winning again in Europe if they have a hope of filling a 25,000 seater stadium because the RDS is barely full throughout the year.
Also getting rid of the standing sections is stupid. That’s where most of the real fans go and it offers a cheaper ticket.