COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE
Monday, March 25, 2019
QUESTION NO. 8
QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor
To ask the Chief Executive to present an update on the further development of facilities at Tallaght Stadium; will he give full details and also state what plans he has to attract further numbers to Tallaght Stadium and will he make a statement.
Reply
Building on the success of Tallaght Stadium to date in hosting Airtricity League Football, FAI internationals, Special Olympics Opening Ceremony, underage Gaa tournaments as well as American Football and Rugby, South Dublin County Council enagaged Cooney Architects to look at options for developing the North Stand, to complete the Stadium. Cooney Architects presented an Options Report, on the proposed development of the North Stand, along with proposed changes to the existing Main Stand, to the Corporate Policy Group and to the December 2018 Council Meeting. The Report looked at the future of the Stadium as continuing to host the sporting events, including Shamrock Rovers and FAI International games, as well as becoming an event venue for the County. The venue to be promoted for use during the day, for Corporate, Business and Training events as well as a potentially unique wedding venue. The venue would be for the local community, the whole county and for visitors from outside the county to use and visit. The Stadium currently has a capacity of 8,000, and the Options Report looked at increasing the capacity to 10,000, as well as looking at UEFA Category 4 facility requirements. The Report considered the enhanced flexibility of use in the venue, as well as looking at futureproofing the development. The Report looked at developing improved Press facilities and seating as well as additional Corporate capacity in a new second floor to be developed in the existing Main Stand, where much of the anticipated Corporate, Business and Wedding events would take place. Following the positive reception of the Options Report at the Council meeting, it is anticipated that a Tender Process for the design of the North Stand and Main Stand modifications for the Part 8 process will commence in Q2 2019, with the Part 8 Consultation process to follow.
The recently completed South Stand, which has brought the capacity of the Stadium to 8,000 spectators has been used to great success for recent games by Shamrock Rovers in the Airtricity League, since the start of their season. Other sporting events that will take place in the Stadium, include the Republic of Ireland U/21 game against Luxembourg on Sunday 24th March, as well as being a host venue for the UEFA European Championships U/17 football tournament that will be held in Ireland between 3rd and 19th of May 2019. There will be a total of 7 games played in Tallaght Stadium including 1 quarter final, 1 semi-final as well as the Final on Sunday 19th May, 2019. There are 15 visiting European teams taking part, as well as the Republic of Ireland U17 team. Gaelforce Dublin takes place on Saturday 23rd March, and commences and finishes at the Stadium. Other events that have recently taken place in the Stadium include events during Engineers Week as well as the headline event of Local Enterprise Week, with Keith Barry, where the South Dublin Local Enterprise Awards were presented. In addition two of the Dublin GAA Feile under 14 Hurling Finals will be taking place in the Stadium on 14th April.
The Council will continue to try and maximise usage of the Stadium for both sporting and non-sporting events, to encourage visitors to the venue, from both within and outside the County. The Council will continue to explore opportunities to increase usage of the Stadium.
An official ceremony will take place on Sunday 24th March, before the U21 game between the Republic of Ireland and Luxembourg to mark the completion and official opening of the South Stand by the Council."