Lansdowne Football Club has completed the acquisition of the sports grounds located off Claremont Road in Sandymount from YMCA Dublin. This follows formal approval for the deal from the Charities Regulator.
With a proviso built in that the grounds be maintained for sporting purposes, it is a big win saving a key infrastructure resource for sport in the city.
No financial figure was confirmed but Sport for Business understands the sale price was around the €6 million mark.
The acquisition of this significant site in Dublin 4, will provide Lansdowne FC with the ability to extend its sporting facilities in the local community within which it has had its home and presence since 1872.
Lansdowne is located in the Lansdowne Road rugby grounds, with its immediate community links covering Sandymount and the surrounding areas of Ballsbridge, Irishtown and Ringsend. The Club celebrated its 150th anniversary this past year.
“This is a really exciting moment in Lansdowne’s history,” said Club President Stephen Rooney.
“As we complete the celebration of our 150th anniversary, we are now about to embark on another significant and ambitious venture for the Club which will deepen our roots further in our local community and provide members with much needed additional sporting facilities for our Junior, Mini and Youth teams.”
“We are very grateful for having this opportunity to acquire such a superb site on Lansdowne FC’s doorstep and for YMCA Dublin to endorse Lansdowne to become the new custodian for this important outdoor space. We are very much committed to operating a sustainable multi-sporting and commercial campus that adds value to and is part of the community, a welcoming space that can continue to provide amenities for exercise and recreation for a diverse range of sporting and other activities.”
The lands, which cover 6.6 acres, are accessed from Claremont Road and comprise a large surface car park with parking for approximately 40 cars adjoining a modern 2-story pavilion and open out into a large expansive site of playing fields, including an all-weather hockey pitch.
“It is heartening that through the grounds’ new owners, Lansdowne FC, the property will continue its strong sporting and recreational tradition< said YMCA CEO Kathryn O’Mahoney.
“For the YMCA, this sale means we can begin in earnest our mission to build three new community hubs in areas across Dublin where we can have the greatest positive impact. These hubs will mirror our city centre Aungier Street facility and will have an array of vital community resources including; Community Childcare, Family Support and of course our full range of specialist Youth Services.”
