The National Indoor Arena at the Sport Ireland Campus is to become part of an emergency Government response to the ongoing refugee crisis caused by war in Ukraine.
A statement from Sport Ireland said that this was in response to a request from Government and that it would be for a period of up to six weeks.
That seems on the low side for the impact of a war that has waged for six months and shows no sign of being resolved any time soon, and at a time when the needs of students in search of accommodation around the country is exacerbating an existing housing shortage.
It is hard to envisage a circumstance where families housed in the gold standard facilities, with showers and space like few other alternatives would be removed to make way for sport, no matter how important the training facility is.
Athletics and Gymnastics are the two sports most likely to be impacted but not the only ones.
Sport Ireland CEO Dr Una May has nonetheless struck an empathetic and at the same time optimistic tone.
“Sport Ireland is pleased to be in a position to respond positively to the Government’s request to make the National Indoor Athletics Training Centre available to support the ongoing refugee accommodation challenges,” she said.
“This emergency initiative will be for a period of up to six weeks, allowing the relevant authorities to provide more permanent accommodation for the refugees. Following this, the arena will be available for the beginning of the indoor athletics season.”
“Sport has been a welcome lifeline for many refugees arriving into Ireland in recent months and the wider sport sector is to be commended in that regard. Sport Ireland Facilities will be offering the use of the facilities on the Sport Ireland Campus for use by the refugees for the duration of their stay.”
“Sport Ireland would like to place on record its gratitude to customers of the National Indoor Athletics Training Centre for their patience and understanding on this matter.”
