COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

QUESTION NO. 21

QUESTION: Councillor Joanna Tuffy

To ask the Chief Executive Officer for an update on the opening of Airlie Park, Adamstown, and what facilities will be there, including for cricket, volleyball, Gaelic football, soccer and other sports and exercise, and how access to the facilities will be managed by the Council.

REPLY:

It is estimated that 85%- 90% of the Airlie Park project has been constructed. It is anticipated that the contractor will complete the construction of the pavilion building and the associated hard standing area within the next 4 - 6 weeks. However, as with any natural works project, the anticipated opening date is dependent on the establishment of seeding and planting. To-date circa 75% - 80% of the Park has been planted and seeded, with the rest of the park to be planted and seeded once weather permits over the coming months. The establishment period is heavily weather dependent and, therefore, it is not possible - at this juncture - to state the anticipated opening date. The design team, the works contractor and SDCC Parks Department are meeting on a  fortnightly basis to continue to review and assess how the establishment of seeding and planting is progressing, which will inform the decision of the opening date. 

The Airlie Park project will provide a range of active and passive recreational facilities including: an all weather astro turf pitch which can accommodate GAA and soccer, a cricket pitch, a cricket training area, three playgrounds, one fitness area, tennis courts and the pavilion building/cafe with associated changing rooms. The Park will also have integrated walking and cycling facilities, which will tie into the existing and planned cycle and walking networks in the Adamstown SDZ.

The allocation of playing pitches/sporting facilities is granted on a year to year basis subject to Clubs undertaking to abide by the various Acts, Bye-Laws, etc governing the use of County Council Parks and Open Spaces. The South Dublin County Council’s Allocation of Pitches/Sporting Facilities – Policy and Conditions can be found here: allocation-of-pitch-sporting-facilities-policy-and-conditions.pdf (sdcc.ie). In 2021, the Council introduced a new online Pitch Allocation and Booking system which went live for the 2021/2022 playing season. All clubs were required to register on the system and submit their annual application form and application fee, for their allocation application to be considered. Clubs are then notified of their proposed allocation and fee for same. On receipt of the appropriate fee an official allocation is made.

Any new clubs that wish to apply for the use of playing pitches/sporting facilities are asked to email publicrealm@sdublincoco.ie  and an invitation to register on the system will be issued, once registered an application can be made.

 The faciliites in Airlie Park will be bookable through an online booking system.  We will be writing to clubs in the area to examine expressions of interest in the near future.