COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

MOTION NO. 17

MOTION: Councillor E. Ó Broin

That this Committee agrees that the Council in conjunction with the Round Towers GAA club should increase the provision of juvenile GAA pitches in Corkagh Park.

REPORT:

Corkagh Park covers and area of 120 hectares and has been designed to provide for both active and passive recreation. The following facilities are available in the park:

• Allotments
• Arboretum
• Baseball Fields (2)
• Camac Valley Caravan Park
• Car parks (3)
• Children’s Playground
• Cricket Pitch
• Cycle Race Track
• Dog Run
• Exercise equipment
• Fairy Walk
• Fishing Lakes including coffee shop
• Flood attenuation ponds
• Pet Farm
• Rose Garden
• Sli na Sláinte walks
• Sports pavilion
• Visitor Centre

In addition to the above there are a total of 11 pitches in the park. There are 9 soccer pitches, 1 GAA pitch and 1 rugby pitch. The pitches currently cater for 10 clubs. The allocation of pitches is based on the applications received each year. While the Council endeavours to provide pitches for all applicants the number of pitches available is finite. As clubs develop and grow the demand for pitches increases. This is sometimes offset when clubs fold and no longer require a pitch. The demand varies each year but is relatively static in Corkagh Park. Where demand exceeds pitch availability clubs may have to look at securing private lands to meet their requirements.

Given the extensive variety of park facilities that currently exist and the land available there is no scope to provide additional pitches within the park. In order to provide additional juvenile facilities it may be possible to remove the senior GAA pitch and replace it with 2 juvenile pitches at right angles to the existing pitch. This however would make the senior pitch unavailable for use.

Round Towers GAA club have 2 further pitch allocations in Clondalkin Park which is directly opposite Corkagh Park. If the club were agreeable to changing the setup of the senior pitch in Corkagh Park then this can be explored further to assess suitability.