The installation of eight lighting stands around the existing sports pitch located within Cappagh Park has moved a step closer after planning permission was granted by the Galway City Council at Leisureland on Monday evening.
The lighting stands which are monopole design, will be 15 metres in height and are expected to be fully operational on November 30.
Independent councillor Donal Lyons said the floodlights represented a another investment at the facilities at Cappagh Park and will benefit the children of the Knocknacarra area.
Fianna Fáil councillor Peter Keane said the floodlights would leave a legacy for future communities.
He said; "It has been a highly emotional issue in the community. A lot of mistakes from the beginning. How we thought we could put in astro turf is beyond me? I welcome the plan which will have minimal impact on local ecology and residence.
"It will have a huge impact for communities in terms of legacy. The social dividend will be massive. We [now] need to move onto to Kingston and South Park to help provide [those areas with] enhanced sporting facilities."
Chief executive of the city council Brendan McGrath told the chamber that while November 30 was the pencilled in handover date, he was committed to delivering the lights in the minimum time frame.
However, councillors were told by Galway City senior planner Carmel Kilcoyne that temporary lights will not be erected in the interim period due to noise emitted from generators as well as the possibility of diesel spills.
Temporary lights were installed by Knocknacarra Football Club at the site at the end of last year however, the city council ordered that they be removed which resulted in protests outside City Hall in January.
