By Alan Healy
Contamination has been found at the site of the Brandywell Stadium, it can be revealed today.
In a statement issued to the Derry News yesterday afternoon, a spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council said that ‘samples from the site have been taken to help determine the nature of the contamination and to inform how it should be dealt with’.
The council added that it is also ‘working closely’ with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) regarding the matter.
Last month, Derry City and Strabane District Council said that work on the Brandywell Regeneration Project, was ‘progressing well’, with ‘the objective of having the project completed by the end of the year’.
The Derry News had asked the council if the latest development would have any impact on the opening of the new stadium.
The council spokesperson responded that the scheduled completion date remained ‘on track’
“Despite the possibility of some pockets of contamination on a small area of the site, this hugely significant investment remains on schedule,” the spokesperson said.
“A full report is expected to come before members at the next Health and Communities Committee in December.
“Work on this key capital investment project for council remains on track and that Council currently does not anticipate this matter will have any significant impact on the completion of the works.”
The spokesperson continued: “Once completed at the end of the year, the project will see the completion of a new 955 seater stand that incorporates new changing rooms, media facilities, meeting spaces, safety control centre, along with standing accommodation for 270 spectators adjoining the new stand that will bring the existing capacity for the ground to approximately 3,700.”
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