COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

MOTION NO.1

MOTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

Cathaoirleach Business

This committee formally requests that the Chief Executive (CE) initiate a feasibility study for the Griffeen Sports Hub on Newcastle Road, with the objective of including it in a future development programme. The Sports Hub is ideally located to serve the community and currently supports a high volume of users across multiple sports and activities. The nearby pavilion plans have referenced the clubhouse as having access to essential toilet facilities. Upgrading the clubhouse would enhance its role as a community hub and ensure it remains a welcoming and fully functional amenity for years to come. We believe these improvements will address current needs and support anticipated future growth in the area's recreational and sports activities.

REPORT:

This western section of Griffeen Valley Park contains a variety of sporting and other recreational facilities and is a functioning sports hub for the area. Its facilities include: 1.7 km of walking and cycling routes, an artificial surfaced athletics track, an artifical surfaced hockey pitch, a GAA pitch, 2 No. soccer pitches and a well-sized car park.. Clubs who play in this area and have pitch allocations include: Arthur Griffith Park FC, Lucan Sarsfields, Lucan Harriers, Weston Hockey Club and Griffeen Valley Petangue Club. The area is used by a variety of sports clubs and the local community and the sports provision is varied. The park is surrounded by residential areas on all of its 4 sides; with the nearest house being 50m to the existing GAA pitch.

Recent augmentations to the facilities in the park include a teenspace with ball wall, a variety of seating and meeting areas including a basket swing, 3 v 3 basketball facilities and a kick about area. A public Pétanque Court was opened in 2022. There is also an existing clubhouse (facilities are used by Arthur Griffith Park FC, Lucan Harriers, Weston Hockey Club), with a long-term lease in place.

Proposals for further improvements going forward include the expenditure of the existing Sports Capital Grants which include funding for further improvements to the athletics track, as well as a upgrade of the surface of the hockey pitch, and SDCC are progressing these items in tandem with the relevant clubs. 

The recently passed Part 8 for the provision of a sports changing room pavillion in the east of the park will provide changing and toilets facilities as well as storage for clubs and groups using the adjacent sports facilities. It is programmed to complete these works in 2025, the pavillion facilities will be available for clubs and groups who wish to access changing and toilet facilities within the park via a on-line booking system.