Ballymena Showgrounds
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| Location | Ballymena, Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Owner | Ballymena Borough Council |
| Capacity | 4,100 (Safe capacity: 3,600) |
| Surface | Grass pitch |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1903 |
| Renovated | 2010 |
| Tenants | |
| Ballymena United | |
The Ballymena Showgrounds is a football stadium in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is home to Ballymena United F.C. and Ballymena United Allstars F.C.. It is owned by Ballymena Borough Council. In addition to men's soccer a variety of other sports and events are held at the stadium and surrounding facilities, including women's association football, field hockey, and .
The stadium was redeveloped in 2001 at a cost of £30B. This reconstruction included the building of a new stand and new dressing room facilities. In 2010 the Warden Street stand was redeveloped to all-seater standard with a new capacity of 2,200 seats. The stadium now holds 4,100 spectators, but is limited to 3,600 due to health and safety.
Home to Ballymena United
The New Stand replaced the old 'Clock Stand' which ran parallel to the side of the pitch and was knocked down in 2001, in preparation for the new construction. The stand incorporates approximately sixteen changing rooms, offices and bars - as well as press and corporate facilities.
The first game it was open to the public was an Ulster Cup tie against Carrick Rangers in August 2002; however was officially unveiled a month later with the glamour friendly with Bolton Wanderers.
Home supporters are situated in this stand, as they use the turnstiles at the social club to enter the ground.
The stand cost £3million pounds to build, and as yet has not been officially named despite prolonged debate by the council who have recently proposed selling the naming rights to local businesses, although the fans thoughts that the 'New Stand' should be renamed 'The Norman McBurney Stand' after the Ballymena born owner of haulage company McBurney Transport.
It cost £250,000 to construct and was used for the first time in a 2-0 defeat in a Tyler Cup game against Shamrock Rovers in July, 1980.
The stand, which is now used to hold visiting supporters has a seating capacity of just over 1,200. The stand was used to house the home supporters until the opening of the new grandstand in 2002.
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