Half of Dalymount Park becoming a Tesco

REDEVELOPMENT work on Dalymount Park could begin in 2017 after its sale finally went through.

It had been reported that the deal between Bohemians and Dublin City Council (DCC) had been completed this summer but the paperwork was not finalised until last week.

A meeting of members was informed of some of the details of the agreement which, along with a deal over member loans, has seen debts slashed from more than €6million to less than €300,000.

Bohs will play at Dalymount next year but must seek a temporary home if work starts in 2017.

It is ‘99 per cent certain’ the Phibsborough pitch will be rotated by 90 degrees as part of a complete revamp of the dilapidated ground.

A 4G surface will be installed to allow regular use by Bohs as well as making the facilities available to the local community.

Initial drawings would see two stands, each with a capacity of 4,500, constructed at the School and Tramway ends. They are currently behind either goal.

Two smaller stands, each of which would hold between 500 and 700, would be built on the Connaught Street and North Circular Road sides.

All plans would have to be approved by the relevant authorities before work could proceed but the club’s rental agreement has been thrashed out. Bohs’ annual lease to DCC will cost €60,000 and allow them to host 40 matches at the ground which has been their home since 1901.

That figure offers considerable leeway given there were just 22 competitive first-team games there in 2015. And the rent is less than Bohs currently spend to maintain a ground which had fallen into such disrepair that only two of the four sides could be used.

In addition, the terms of the lease will allow Bohs to host another ten special events during a calendar year.

It is envisaged these would primarily be for community days but could also be used to stage concerts.

In the past, Bob Marley, Thin Lizzy and the Boomtown Rats all played gigs at Dalymount. Nearby Croke Park can host three concerts per year and Bohs would hope to get the go-ahead for smaller gigs.

If, as expected, the FAI seek to play underage internationals at Dalymount, it is thought they will deal directly with DCC.

Bohs will have offices and bars under one of the stands, probably the School End, which is also expected to house the main dressing rooms. The three current bars in Dalymount are a significant source of revenue.

Talks are ongoing between DCC and Shelbourne about the possibility of them moving in as co-tenants.

Shels are trying to raise funds to agree a deal with developer Jerry O’Reilly, who holds an interest in Tolka Park, to facilitate its sale.

Although an agreement looks some way off, it is expected space under a new Tramway End stand would be set aside for their future use.

Bohs have not yet entered into any talks over temporary homes but a club source admitted there are only two real possibilities on Dublin’s northside — Tolka or Morton Stadium.