Finn Harps have expressed surprise and disappointment at the failure of their Donegal Community Stadium project to received expected funding approvals from the Department of Sport.
The Department announced capital sports grants to the tune of €77.4m for 25 separate projects on Friday.
But, having already previously received €1m from the Government, Harps did not receive final funding approval to complete the main stand, pitch floodlights and ancillary facilities for the new Stranolar development, despite expectations that it was coming.
The Premier Division club released a statement this afternoon reacting to the omission.
"Finn Harps wish to express our disappointment at the exclusion of the Donegal Community Stadium Project from the funding approvals announced by the Dept. of Sport in recent days," began the statement.
"The project had previously been approved by the Department of Sport, and commenced on site, with substantial work carried out. However the Dept were unable to continue funding during the recession and work ceased.
"In 2017, given the original commitment to the project and the fact that significant funding was already incurred, the Department proposed a new model to deliver the project, and the Club agreed to same.
"Since then the Club have implemented what has been required in line with the new model proposed, and received a Department allocation in respect of same last year.
"The Club understood that final funding approval was imminent to complete the main stand, pitch floodlights and ancillary facilities, and is surprised and disappointed that the project has not been included at this time. The project is 'shovel ready', with detailed design, bill of quantities, planning permission etc all in place.
"The Club welcomes that fact that the Department have already committed and spent over €1m on the project, however, we are concerned that further delays are only going to result in increased costs, and the structures already in place on site will deteriorate. In conclusion, the project cannot be delivered without the support and approval of the Department of Sport.
"We have not yet had any formal communication from the Department, but we understand that this will be forthcoming within the coming week or two.
"The Club will be following up with with the Department to determine when the commitments already given to the project will be implemented".
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