Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 September 2019
573. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of progress on the proposed new national velodrome and badminton centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37190/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the development of the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus at Abbotstown.
Under the National Development Plan 2018-2027, €16m has been committed to develop a National Velodrome and Badminton Centre at the National Sports Campus in 2020 and 2021. The proposed facility would comprise a 250-metre cycling track, 12-16 Badminton Courts in the in-track area, spectator seating and ancillary facilities including office space.
Sport Ireland's Master Plan for the Campus includes several large infrastructure projects, many of which have been delivered. Preparatory work on the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre, which is an important project on the Master Plan, is underway. In July 2019, given the period of time that has lapsed since the Velodrome was initially proposed, Sport Ireland appointed project managers and a design team to carry out a review of the project. Initial work will focus on a review of the existing planning permission, granted in 2015, to assess suitability and fitness for present and future purposes. This review will be completed later this year, and, subject to the necessary resources being available, it is intended that the project would go to tender in 2020.
