Ireland’s new Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena was officially opened by Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the National Sports Campus yesterday.
It is the latest addition to an impressive array of sporting infrastructure elements at the Campus which now stands comparison with the best such venues in Europe.
The state-of-the-art indoor training and events centre comprises a National Gymnastics Training Centre, National Indoor Athletics Training Centre and National Indoor Training Centre.
It will host the FIBA European U18 Women’s Basketball Championships in August and has been designed with flexibility and technical infrastructure to host other such events on a national and international scale.
The multi sport facility can cater for over 20 sports in a variety of configurations and can be used as one space or broken down into three. There is retractable seating that will cater for 1,500 spectators.
On the athletics side of the structure is a fully retractable 200 metre banked track as well as 60 metre and 110 metre sprint tracks, throw, jump and pole vault areas and permanent seating for 400 which can be expanded to almost 2,000.
The third element is a National Gymnastics Training Centre with permanent equipment installations, foam pits and floor area.
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“I am delighted to officially open the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena today,” said Taoiseach Enda Kenny.
“This most impressive facility is a very welcome addition to Ireland’s sporting infrastructure and I look forward to the many events which the Arena will host of the coming months and years.”
“I would like to congratulate all involved with the development of this facility, and wish Sport Ireland the very best for the future.”
The construction of the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena began in January 2015 and was overseen by Sport Ireland Campus Director Dave Conway.
It is designed to accommodate over 20 sports with ancillary spectator, changing, media and conference facilities.
There is additional space if additional funding can be found within the review of the Capital spending programme for the construction of additional indoor pitches.
“The development of the Indoor Arena with its tremendous indoor athletics track, world class Gymnastics Centre and expansive indoor training facilities fills an important gap in our national sporting infrastructure,” said Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD.
“The Sport Ireland National Sports Campus is providing access for an ever-wider range of sports and has truly grown to become the home of Irish sport. This new Arena will not only provide world class training facilities but will also present opportunities to attract major events to Ireland.”
“I have no doubt that we will see many international events take place in this facility which, as well as enhancing our international sports reputation, will also contribute to the growth of our sports tourism industry, the fastest growing sector in tourism.”
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The Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena is the latest addition to the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus with a large number of facilities already developed at the west Dublin site including the National Aquatic Centre, Sport Ireland Institute and High Performance Centre, Irish Sport HQ, National Diving Centre, National Horse Sport Arena, National Cross Country Track and Special Olympics Ireland HQ among others.
Commenting on the developments at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Patrick O’Donovan said “The Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena is a very welcome addition to the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus and cements the site as Ireland’s foremost sporting hub.”
“The Campus has already played host to major international events from swimming to cross country and the development of the Arena is another important component if we are to continue to attract top sports people and spectators to Ireland.”
“I am pleased that as well as a number of national competitions, in 2017 the Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena will co-host the FIBA Under 18 Women’s European Basketball Championship in August.”
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The Arena will provide undoubted benefits to athletes of all ages and abilities as highlighted by Sport Ireland Chairman, Kieran Mulvey.
“Sport Ireland is delighted to have reached the stage where we are opening the new Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena.”
“The Arena will have an impact on athletes of all levels with the facilities catering for the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus participation programmes right through to our top athletes. I am delighted that the Campus has already secured bookings for a number of high profile events and I look forward to seeing many people come through the doors in the future.”
Sport Ireland Chief Executive, John Treacy, is looking forward to the opportunities that the new venue will open for Ireland’s National Governing Bodies for Sport.
“With the Sport Ireland National Sports Arena being designed for over 20 sports it is a welcome boost for our National Governing Bodies for not only top level competition, but also their grassroots base. The impact of the arena will stretch beyond sport, with the Arena capable of hosting major conferences and concerts. Sport Ireland is very much looking forward to the exciting period ahead.”
