The Government has re-affirmed its commitment to the new international-spec Dublin velodrome, saying the project remained a priority next step in the plans for the Sport Ireland Camps in Abbottstown. Indeed, plans are also being progressed for what will be the capital project to follow the velodrome; a new cricket oval.
However, while planning for the new National Velodrome and Badminton Centre was granted in January, and more progress on construction was expected before now, the Government has yet to put the funding in place for the project.
In its latest update, the Government has outlined a broad strokes plan for putting the money in place, after the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media the week before last sought a supplementary budget of €3.5 million to help progress design and development work for the velodrome and cricket oval.
The cost of the shared cycling and badminton facility has previously been estimated at €60 million, though that had jumped to €87 million as of last May.
Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Thomas Byrne TD has said in reply to a Dáil question that the velodrome and badminton facility would like be the “first high-level project for delivery” as part of the masterplan approved 12 months ago for the development of the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus.
“This project will address the need to provide world-class track cycling facilities for our athletes who currently have to travel abroad for both training and competition as well as providing the sport of badminton with integrated training, gym and medical facilities,” he said in reply to Brian Leddin TD (Greens).
“Planning permission for this project was awarded by Fingal County Council in January 2023 and the project is now at pre-tender approval stage under the public spending code.”
Mr Byrne added after construction on the velodrome had been commenced, it was planned that new “office accommodation for national governing bodies of sport and athlete accommodation” would be the next key high-level project at the campus.
My Department will be engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to funding to progress the key high level projects identified in the Campus Masterplan, with a specific near term focus on the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre,” he said, though gave no specific timeframe.
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