COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

MOTION NO. 2

MOTION: Councillor W. Lavelle

"That this Area Committee welcomes the €500,000 allocation towards 'shared/flexible sports spaces', proposed by the Corporate Policy Group and ratified by the October Council meeting; and requests that such a facility be provided in Lucan as a priority; and further requests that provision be included for more dedicated space as part of these facilities for use by clubs such as Esker ABC."

REPORT:

The provision of €500,000.00 towards the provision of shared / flexible sports spaces throughout the county is very welcome and a significant start to the substantial capital investment that is required across all electoral areas. The shared and flexible aspect of the initiative is important to gain the most advantageous outcome as possible.

The Council is acutely aware of the needs in the Lucan area and the various campaigns and calls for facilities to be provided for individual clubs in the area but as confirmed on many occasions it is considered more prudent to develop and implement an overall sustainable approach which will address in phases the overall need and how the Council can respond to these needs. The concept of a campus style approach to the provision of these facilities has been outlined and it has been found to be an approach which is generally acceptable to all.

Rather than individual buildings for individual clubs the design approach should be focused on multipurpose spaces for multipurpose uses. Such an approach is always more sustainable from all aspects including financial, administration, availability and so forth. The next step on this path is to develop the concept into a longer term strategy which is capable of being delivered in phases as part of an overall plan for the provision of both indoor and outdoor Community and Leisure facilities. New and innovative approaches are now required to providing the flexible spaces that can serve a whole range of disciplines rather than the providing dedicated spaces which limit the overall use of the space.

Within the available human and financial resources this approach will be advanced as expediously as possible.