COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
MOTION NO.9
MOTION: Councillor D. Ó Brádaigh
To ask the manager to give an undertaking to explore the possibility of including Palmerstown as a part of the countywide All-Weather Pitch Strategy.
REPORT:
SDCC's Sports Pitch Strategy planned for SDCC's future need and made recommendations regarding pitch demand, capacity and future requirements up to 2035. The assessment focused on pitches used by the following sports: Soccer, GAA, Rugby Union, Hockey, Cricket, Athletics. The Strategy showed population growth predicted in all areas across the county, an increase in generation of teams and recommends that sports facility provision is required to grow and adapt to meet current and future demand, and that the management of facilities is required to adapt to meet demand. The Sports Pitch Strategy estimates the difference between pitch capacity and pitch demand for the county. Pitch demand was generated from surveys of the clubs, information from council, governing bodies and stakeholders and examination of the population projections up to 2035 and resulting team generation rates.
The Sports Pitch Strategy meets the demand for pitches by the following complementary actions:
- Review of allocation policy and maintenance of flexibility in pitch designation and allocation: (on-going during the life time of the strategy)
- Provision of new grass pitches: (on-going during the life time of the strategy)
- Improvements to the quality of existing pitches by enhancing the maintenance regime, and possible drainage, of the pitches so they can cater for more match equivalent sessions per week per (i.e. enhancing their capacity): (on-going during the life time of the strategy).
- Provision of 3-5 artificial grass pitches (10 match equivalents per week):
The strategy outlines the proposed location for the 3-5 artificial grass pitches and, within the north of the county, took into account the planned and funded 3g pitch currently under construction at Airlie Park in Adamstown and the planned (and funded) construction of several 3G pitches in the new parks planned for Clonburris. The strategy recommends dispersal of the pitches across the county to meet the need in each area. To that end SDCC is currently approaching the completion of a 3G pitch at Sean Walsh Park in Tallaght and a Part 8 is underway for a 3G pitch at Knocklyon Park. The 5th pitch is proposed for the west of the county. There are no proposals at present for a 6th all weather pitch in Palmerstown and the resources provided for the provision of All Weather Pitches are fully allocated.