A simple notice on the Dublin City Council website last week will have major impact on Ireland’s sports infrastructure in the years to come.
Permission was granted for the €50 million redevelopment of the RDS Arena to include an increase in capacity from 18,500 to 21,500 and the replacement of the existing Anglesea Stand and Terrace with a new 6,775 capacity three-story stand alongside a two story hospitality building.
Leinster Rugby signed a 25 year agreement with the RDS to continue playing the majority of its games there last year.
The Arena is also home to the RDS Dublin Horse Show which attracted crowds of 100,000 to Ballsbridge over the last five days.
Money will be sought once again through the Government Large Scale Infrastructure Fund with the RDS also backing the redevelopment from its own resources.
With the development of the Sports Grounds in Galway underway already, the renewed potential for Casement Park to be redeveloped ahead of a potential hosting of the UEFA European Championship Finals in 2028, the development of a new Community Stadium at Dalymount Park and the ongoing expansion of the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus there is much to excite over the coming years in relation to sporting infrastructure.
