Institute FC have submitted plans for a new community stadium in heart of Waterside

Institute FC has announced their submission of an application to build a new 'state of the art’ community stadium in the heart of the Waterside. 

The club has confirmed that their application has been validated and is now live on the official Northern Ireland Planning Portal. 

Institute were forced to leave the Riverside Stadium in 2017 after it was devastated by floods and subsequently infested with Japanese knotweed.

The club began their 2024–25 Northern Ireland Football League Championship campaign with a 2-2 away draw to Armagh City. 

Institute will play their first home game this weekend against Dundela at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, a stadium they share with Derry City currently. 

The plans for the stadium include a 4G playing surface offering a total spectator capacity of 2,097.

The envisaged main stand will have room for 1,116 spectators and incorporate changing rooms, toilets, a kitchen and canteen area, a function suite, a physiotherapy and gym, a laundry room, office accommodation, and media rooms.

Plans also include four commercial units, floodlights, and two additional spectator stands. 

However, the new stadium is a community stadium and will incorporate more than just a football stadium. 

A MUGA 4G playing surface and fencing, four cricket wickets, and netting are also part of the plans. 

The club missed out on promotion to the Premier Division last season in the play-off final against Ballymena United. 

Institute is hopeful the plans will be passed with the creation of a new home at Clooney Park West, a location they have played near on many occasions in Wilton Park previously and this year for a number of preseason fixtures.