It is the sporting landscape that most would only be able to dream of. It will take until Children born today will be preparing for their own Olympic and Paralympic days. But it will come and yesterday we got to see the 20 year vision of how the Sport Ireland Campus is to be developed into a truly global centre of excellence for all sports.
First will come a velodrome and indoor Badminton Centre, with work starting in 2023 and for completion in 2025. But that is only the beginning of this exciting new phase.
There will be the development of different facilities on an ongoing basis, including a national cricket stadium, an athletics track, accommodation and office space, a new innovation centre we first proposed almost a decade ago, a Museum of Irish sport and so much more.
It is at present a Masterplan and a vision but if you paint the picture, it fires the hope and imagination of those in the sector. Consider it fired.
The Campus is already a magnificent focal point for Irish sport of all shapes and sizes and in a generation’s time it will be so for all.
Government commitment to the project is strong, even though the timeframe will cover four cycles of power.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, soon-to-be Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Tourism Culture, Arts Gaeltacht Sport and Media and Minister of State for Sport and Chief Whip Jack Chambers were all on-site yesterday to launch the master plan. Four Cabinet Ministers on site for two hours is something not done on a whim.
Every sporting CEO was there as well as Dr Una May and Kieran Mulvey of Sport Ireland, and her predecessor John Treacy.
This was a celebration of what has already been delivered and what is now on the nearer horizon.
In addition to the larger facilities detailed within the master plan, there will be a strong emphasis on the delivery of multiple small and medium-sized projects on an annual basis that supports our National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and strengthen the core value of community participation. There will also be particular focus on improving public transport links to the Sport Ireland Campus and a strong commitment to sustainability.
The Sport Ireland Campus masterplan will be realised through a capital development programme over the next 15–20 years. It is envisaged that individual building and infrastructure projects will be delivered in a series of phases over the life cycle of the masterplan. The detailed phasing and programming of the delivery will be determined by the needs of the athletes and the growth of sport in Ireland.
The first high-level project for delivery under the new masterplan is likely to be the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre. A planning application for the project was lodged with Fingal County Council by Sport Ireland in August and a decision is expected in the coming weeks.
“The Sport Ireland Campus is already an invaluable asset as part of the sporting infrastructure of the country and the developments as laid out in this document will enhance what are already world class facilities,” said Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
“The development of the Campus to date and the future developments have been funded by significant Government spending and this Government is committed to supporting sport in Ireland because we are aware of all the benefits that being involved in sport at any level brings to individuals and communities.”
“The Sport Ireland Campus is a significant national asset contributing to our pursuit of both excellence and higher participation in sport,” added Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar.
“It has been wonderful to see the Campus grow and develop in the past ten years. I remember fondly my time as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and overseeing a number of early projects as the Campus developed, including the indoor arena and Sport HQ. The next steps are the velodrome and athlete accommodation, among other projects. I look forward to driving these forward in 2023 and 2024. This new masterplan will enable Sport Ireland to further maximise the potential of the campus for community use with its vision to ensure the campus is a space for all ages and all abilities. This campus can serve as a wonderful community resource as well as a centre for national sporting excellence.”
“Continued Government investment in sport is essential to ensure that sport continues to play such an important and central role in Irish life,” said Minister Martin.
“The Sport Ireland Campus, as the home to elite and high-performance sport in Ireland, is one of the jewels in the crown of Irish sport and the planned developments as laid out in the Sport Ireland Campus Masterplan Vision will ensure that it is one of the best of its kind anywhere in the world.”
“The Sport Ireland Campus is an invaluable amenity for people who are involved in sport at all levels and for the local community, who have the opportunity to use these wonderful facilities,” said Minister of State for Sport Jack Chambers.
“The Sport Ireland Campus Masterplan Vision maps out a path to future development that will enhance further what is already a world class centre for sport. The development of the Sport Ireland Campus is very much in line with Government policy and objectives on sport, which will deliver greater benefits for everyone involved in sport in Ireland.”
“This Masterplan represents a major milestone in the development of Sport Ireland and the Sport Ireland Campus. It is a major and positive assertion and vote of confidence in our current National Sporting Bodies and their athletes,” according to Sport Ireland Chair Kieran Mulvey.
“It is a reward for their extraordinary successes , they have already achieved seven gold medals in World Championships in four sports this year, and an investment for the future in all forms of Olympic sports, World and European Championships and our own National sports. The existing sports facilities are of a world class standard and the future plans for new sports specific buildings will continue this objective. What started as a vision and a dream many decades ago is fast becoming a reality. Our thanks go to all who contributed to this Masterplan and to the Government of today and who have committed to and endorsed this ambition.”
“Ireland is a sporting nation on many levels and in many sports. We succeed in many fields and in many disciplines and in field sports in all genders. We have a zero tolerance on doping and we aspire to the highest standards in sportspersonship. Our current and future representation in sport will reflect our inclusive and multicultural nation . Today is an investment in our sporting community and nation.”
“Being based on the Sport Ireland Campus year-round on a day-to-day basis, I get to see first-hand the interaction between high performance and community sport,” concluded Sport Ireland CEO Dr Una May.
“The Sport Ireland Campus Masterplan Vision sets out ambitious goals for the coming years and it will be exciting to see them being reached, improving what is already a world leading location for sport. We are very grateful to the Government for their ongoing commitment to sport and it is heartening to know that they are aware of the many benefits that involvement in sport brings.”
