Glentoran believe severe flooding of their Mersey Street home is a stark but timely reminder of the need for the release of the Sub Regional Stadia funding package.
Storm Franklin, which hit Belfast earlier this week, led to large swathes of the BetMcLean Oval pitch being submerged in rainwater.
Pictures show water lapping around the tunnel and dugout areas in front of the main home stand, with the run-off in front of the away stand also badly affected.
Worryingly, a large expanse of rainwater can also be seen on a section of the pitch at the Sydenham End of the East Belfast venue.
One Glentoran source told Belfast Live: “The club has been operating pumps full-time in a bid to clear the playing arena of water and it has been a major task.
“It’s a concern when you see any pitch submerged in water and it hammers home the need for the long awaited release of the Sub Regional Stadia funding.
“The Oval is an historic and much-loved venue and other clubs enjoy playing here because of that history, but it is also a stadium that needs to be upgraded and modernised as the club looks to the future.
“It’s important that the best possible venue and facilities are provided moving forward, not just for Glentoran as a club but also the surrounding areas and community.”
While flooding has been an ongoing problem at the Oval due to its low-lying location, the club believes essential funding would help mitigate the problem in future years.
It is understood part of the planned redevelopment of the venue includes an elevated pitch and brand new drainage and pumping systems to avoid future flooding.
Part of the original £36m package promised by the Northern Ireland Executive for local stadia included £10m for Glentoran to redevelop their Mersey Street home.
In the summer chairman Stephen Henderson said he was eager to see the ground upgraded and revamped into a Category 3 stadium.
That would allow the Glens to host future group games or playoff ties in European competition.
Back in August, Henderson said: “We see a capacity of 8,000 to begin with, two new redeveloped stands with two small banks of terracing behind the goals to retain the Oval shape and identity of the ground."
Glentoran also have plans to turn their home into a community hub, but their extensive blueprint is dependent on the Executive rolling out the long-awaited funding.
NIFL chief executive Gerard Lawlor said on Monday that the opportunity now exists for Irish League clubs to benefit from the Sub Regional Stadia funding.
Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said last week that the fall of the Executive could further delay the £36m plan, but clubs have now been told “progress” is likely.
Flooding at the Oval follows serious flooding at Dergview FC where heavy rainfall at the weekend led to the River Derg bursting its banks and submerging the Championship club’s Darragh Park in water.
Glentoran's next home fixture is an Irish Cup quarter-final with Championship leaders Newry City on March 5.
