COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

QUESTION NO.21

QUESTION: Councillor L. O'Toole

To ask the Chief Executive to update members on the meeting held with Lucan Harriers, particularly in the context of the motion passed requesting that the Griffeen Sports Hub (clubhouse building) be included in the next Capital Programme works and that the examination of an upgrade commence.

REPLY:

A meeting was held in December between SDCC and Lucan Harriers to discuss a lease between the clubs and South Dublin and also small-scale improvements. Lucan Harriers are aware that there is no lease in place with the current club users of the clubhouse and SDCC. As "Lucan Sports" was dissolved the original lease ceases to exist.  

It should be noted that the lease that was in place was for the lands and not the building and as such it would be up the clubs to manage and maintain the clubhouse.  The clubhouse was built by the three local clubs as “Lucan Sports” on land originally leased to them by the Council.

Our Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development department have had previous discussions with Lucan Harriers and other clubs involved and advised that a Trust Agreement should be in place framing the relationship between the respective clubs. To achieve this, the relevant clubs will need to engage their legal advisors. The minimum requirement of any Trust Agreement should deal with the following items:

• Payment of Insurance.
• Maintenance of clubhouse and buildings.
• Payment of Utilities Bills.
• Schedules of Access for each club.
• Mortgaging/Borrowing Powers in respect of any Sports Capital Grants.
• Name and address of key holder(s).

Once terms of the Trust Agreement have been agreed between the clubs, South Dublin County Council will be able to decide on how to progress matters regarding a new lease and will arrange a meeting with Lucan Harriers and the other clubs to progress.