Who got what - €24.7m for Dalymount Park the standout amid €173m for major sports projects

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The project to redevelop Dalymount Park has been awarded €24.7m amid grants for 35 sporting projects across Ireland under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).

In all, Minister Catherine Martin and Minister Thomas Byrne today announced €173 million in grants.

The redevelopment of Dalymount Park will provide an entirely new UEFA Category 3 stadium and football pitch. The existing stadium will be demolished to create a brand new four-sided enclosed stadium and a reorientated pitch on the north/south axis.

Sligo Rovers have been awarded €16.4m for the redevelopment of the Showgrounds. The work will involve a "significant upgrade of existing arena into a modern multi-sport stadium with community-accessible indoor facilities".

Among other soccer projects, Wexford FC get €2m for main pitch development, viewing stand, club house and training pitches.

Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Funding at Dalymount Park. “Use it, or lose it” policy applies. pic.twitter.com/SofO1J93p6 — John Fallon (@JFallonExaminer) November 4, 2024

Among the GAA projects to receive awards, Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney will get €6m. Phase 1 of the project will involve the reconstruction of the existing terrace at the western end of the stadium.

Dublin GAA's centre of excellence at Spawell will receive €7m for three full-sized pitches, one synthetic pitch (all floodlit), an indoor training centre, skills wall, gym, sensory spaces and changing rooms.

Roscommon's Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence will receive €5.6m for the development of a club house, gym, pitches and training area, as well as floodlighting.

Clare GAA's Centre of Excellence a Caherlohan gets €3.2m, while Wexford's Centre of Excellence at Ferns gets €3.5m.

Multisport facilties are a feature of the awards list. The Cavan Regional Sports Campus has been awarded €19m.

Phase 1 of a 2-phase development, it will provide covered sports arena with playing pitch, spectator seating, and other ancillary accommodation. Sports centre building with changing facilities, multi-purpose rooms, reception, and ancillary accommodation. There will be four GAA fields, a synthetic hockey/multi-sport pitch, a cricket practice area/ catch-nets, all with lighting.

The Mayo Sports Campus gets €7m for an athletics Track, sprint track, throwing area and cage and jumping facilities as well as a grass pitch, all-weather pitches, changing room facilities and floodlighting.

A Marlay Park Sports Hub in Dublin gets €2m to cluster tennis, cricket, padel facilities together.

There are a number of athletics awards, with Morton Stadium notably getting €7m for an indoor athletic training facility, with full eight-lane 100-metre track, high-jump area as well as a high performance gym and facilties.

There is €2.3m for an eight-lane 400m athletics track at Seafield in Meath, again with a pitch and multisport facilities. Similarly, €3.3m goes to a track at the Shannonside Centre in Leitrim, including pitch. A new athletics track for Mallow gets €2m.

Projects allocated funding will now proceed to further evaluation and due diligence processes.

A new “use it or lose it” clause has been introduced which will ensure that if there has been no drawdown of any part of a grant within 2-3 years (timelines may vary from project to project), or before a new LSSIF round is announced, the grant offer will be withdrawn.

Speaking at the announcement of grants today, Minister Martin said:

“The advantages of engaging in sports, regardless of age, are profound both mentally and physically. To meet our ambitious goals of increasing participation in sports, it is essential to have facilities like these.

"The Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund plays a crucial role in our strategy to enhance physical activity and well-being among the population. By investing in these significant projects, we are ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or ability, has access to high-quality sports facilities. This funding will help to create a legacy of sporting excellence in Ireland, inspiring future generations to engage in physical activity and pursue their sporting ambitions."

Minister Byrne added: “This funding underscores our commitment as a Government to seeing sport prosper in communities across Ireland. The major sports projects funded under this round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund encompass a wide variety of sports and activities, reflecting the varied sporting interests of communities nationwide. From multi-sport complexes to specialised facilities for individual sports, these investments aim to cater to the needs of athletes, clubs, and local communities."

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