A multi-purpose municipal arena, of which a new stadium for Connacht Rugby is a key part, has become one of the main objectives of the Galway City Council's Galway City Development Plan 2017 - 2022.
City councillors backed the inclusion of such an arena in the plan at a recent meeting in City Hall. The call to support the porposed facility was put forward by Fianna Fáil councillors Ollie Crowe and Peter Keane, and stems from a submission to the development plan made by Connacht Rugby.
The proposed development will be a "world-class multi-purpose arena where citizens can enjoy an array of recreational activities", located in Galway Docklands.
"In a week where Connacht Rugby have been pitted against the best Europe has to offer in next year's European Champions Cup," said Cllr Keane, "it is most appropriate Galway City Council stand four square behind the Connacht Brand at this time."
While the momentum for such a facility has been gathering pace in recent times, Cllr Keane said the challenge is to secure funding for the arena, but that seeking such funding should not "deter our efforts". He said Galway needed to look at the experience and practice in Swansea, Cardiff, Bolton and Melbourne, where "sound financial plans" by local authorities in those cities "created fantastic stadiums".
Cllr Ollie Crowe said supporting Connacht Rugby's proposal was a "key decision" for council members, and can now help "consolidate Galway's 2020 bid in circumstances where key infrastructural projects are central to the enhanced cultural lifestyle which Galway city has to offer".
