COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE

Monday, June 22, 2020

QUESTION NO. 8

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

"To ask the Chief Executive when he expects works to be completed on the new pavilion in Dodder Valley Park, Old BAwn; will he confirm that all community concerns have been addressed and make a statement"

REPLY:

The current pavillion construction programme is in progress and aims to provide for the provision of further changing facilities in public parks; commencing with provision at Dodder Valley-Old Bawn Park, Griffeen Park and Corkagh Park. The Council passed the Part 8s for these 3 projects in 2015 and a tender process was carried for the Pavillion Programme between 2016-2018 which resulted in a successful appointment of a contractor to design and build the initial project at Dodder Valley Old Bawn with an option to proceed to the design and build of subsequent projects.

The following list of pavillions-county wide was agreed by the Council:

The construction of the Pavillion at Old Bawn is currently very close to completion with some minor landscape works, that were held up by the Covid-19 restrictions, currently being finished. These works are expected to be completed in the coming week or so (subject to weather conditions).

The following is a list of commonly-expressed concerns raised by public representatives, individuals and residents groups with a response on how these concerns were addressed:

The location chosen in the park.

The site was selected as being the best available location for the building, close to the pitches. It was not possible to site it adjacent to the car park due to the presence of a large number of high voltage cables running from the adjacent ESB sub-station. The building is located South of the rear gardens of properties. The pavilion is sited at a lower level to the houses and streets of the Seskin View Estate.

The design of the building and how it would fit into the park setting. The exterior of the building should be of natural materials.

The building has been designed to be simple in form with materials and colours chosen to enhance the attractiveness of the park . The design intention was to create an attractive durable facility which can be easily maintained and efficiently managed. Materials, functionality and energy usage are key factors in the design of pavilions, under these circumstances natural materials were not used as they would not fit with the intention of a surface which can be overpainted or cleaned of graffiti in a timely manner. The colours chosen were in consultation with the local residents associations.

A possible increase in anti-social behaviour.

This new building replaces an old shipping container. Containers are prone to graffiti and anti-social behaviour. The intention is to provide attractive structures in our parks to discourage such behaviour. The building is also visible from the nearby well-used footpaths and cycle paths to increase passive surveillance. The finishes used on the building were specifically chosen to either deter graffiti or be easily cleaned or over-painted. CCTV is also provided to protect this amenity for the local community. The roof is a green roof which complies with objectives in our Climate Change Action Plan. 

Will a car park be provided and will it  be gated and will the entrance be in keeping with the park.

A car park has been provided as part of the works; the carpark is gated and the car park will be fenced shortly. The entrance has been designed in stone in keeping with the existing wall to the park.