National Forum

A GAA community perspective on Dublin's plans

(Oldest Posts First)

I was interested to hear what the larger GAA community thought of this possible project

Brief summary:

Dublin GAA to build it's own larger stadium (25,0000) - (taking more Dublin games out of CP)

Dublin to build it's own Centre Of Excellence (No need to use the National one in Blanch)

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/dublin-gaa-stadium-back-on-agenda-as-county-board-push-for-25000capacity-home-35151827.html

A new 25,000-capacity GAA stadium in Dublin is back on the agenda following the re-opening of negotiations to acquire the landmark Spawell Complex on the city's southside.

Dublin County Board last year failed in its bid to buy the 35-acre site in Templeogue, losing out to an investment fund in a deal that sparked a major controversy.

Dublin CEO John Costello was highly critical of NAMA, arguing that it had ignored its community development remit by not selling the property for sporting and social purposes.

Nama countered by claiming that a receiver was obliged to accept the highest price.

The prime property, situated just off the M50, sold in June 2015 for over €9m, believed to be around €500,000 more than the Dublin bid. The original asking price was €6.5m.

The Irish Independent understands that Dublin County Board is now in negotiations with the Davy-managed investment fund to buy the prime property, which is ideally located for a major sporting facility.

If successful, the plan is to build a 25,000-stadium, together with four additional full-size pitches and other support facilities.

It could double up as an alternative Centre of Excellence, while also benefiting several clubs in its immediate hinterland.

The Spawell Complex currently has an 18-hole par-3 course, driving range, squash courts, all-weather pitches, as well 12 commercial premises, yielding €600,000 per annum.

Planning permission for a 150-bedroom hotel, 21,550 square metre leisure centre and a 575-space car park was granted in 2010.

Dublin County Board included a 25,000-capacity stadium in its strategic plan drawn up in 2011. They regarded a new stadium as an essential addition to bridge the gap between Croke Park (82,300) and Parnell Park (9,000)

Spawell, which has the advantage of being located on the Southside, was identified as far back as 2010 as a potential site. A feasibility study confirmed that the site would meet all the board's requirements.

"From a development perspective, the lands could be conveniently developed on a phased basis as funds became available, with the stadium the last piece of the jigsaw," Costello told the Dublin county convention last December.

"KPMG carried out financial modelling and we engaged with Croke Park in regard to funding assistance."

Costello said that Dublin were bitterly appointed with the outcome having "come second to a speculative investment fund, which had submitted a slightly higher bid".

It appeared at the time as if Dublin's ambitions had no chance of coming to fruition but the landscape has changed since then. And while a deal has yet to be done, it's understood that progress is being made.

Spawell's location makes it ideal for a mid-size stadium as it backs on to the M50, ensuring easy access.

In addition, it is located close to the St Jude's, Faughs and Ballyboden-St Enda's clubs, while several others clubs operate from the wider area.

A 25,000-capacity stadium would be suitable for some of Dublin footballers' and hurlers' home League games as well as providing a major base on the Southside, which has experienced a massive growth in GAA activity.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 28/10/2016 12:27:13    1929795

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"Spawell, which has the advantage of being located on the Southside"
What sort of a statement is that?????

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 28/10/2016 13:29:21    1929819

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Where would the funding come from to build a new stadium?

TheWestIsAwake (UK) - Posts: 529 - 28/10/2016 13:59:30    1929831

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This is for the Dublin forum.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7345 - 28/10/2016 14:10:24    1929835

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "This is for the Dublin forum."
Have to agree we already have this discussion on the Dublin forum

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 28/10/2016 14:32:45    1929840

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Replying To TheWestIsAwake:  "Where would the funding come from to build a new stadium?"
Going to be taken from rural hospitals I'd say.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 28/10/2016 14:48:44    1929847

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Replying To hill16no1man:  ""Spawell, which has the advantage of being located on the Southside"
What sort of a statement is that?????"
Means it is in a respectable neighbourhood.....:)

witnof (Dublin) - Posts: 1604 - 28/10/2016 15:10:46    1929854

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Correct me if I'm wrong here lads but don't only a handful of buses service that area?
I can think of a few buses that go near the area but they'd all be a good walk away. The nearest Luas stop is a long walk away too.
The M50 is already burdened with huge traffic, even on the weekends it can be criminal trying to get from one place to another. Adding this in on a weekend would make things unbearable

keithlemon (Australia) - Posts: 920 - 28/10/2016 15:48:35    1929863

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Replying To keithlemon:  "Correct me if I'm wrong here lads but don't only a handful of buses service that area?
I can think of a few buses that go near the area but they'd all be a good walk away. The nearest Luas stop is a long walk away too.
The M50 is already burdened with huge traffic, even on the weekends it can be criminal trying to get from one place to another. Adding this in on a weekend would make things unbearable"
Im driving round Dublin donkeys years and have never had problems getting around the M50 on the weekend.

I dont know off hand what buses service Templeogue area but like every part of Dublin you can be sure it is serviced by regular buses.

The Luas in Kingswood is a short 5-10 minute drive from the Spawell..I'd like to think there would be a regular supply of shuttle buses making the short hop on match days.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 28/10/2016 16:24:03    1929879

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Replying To keithlemon:  "Correct me if I'm wrong here lads but don't only a handful of buses service that area?
I can think of a few buses that go near the area but they'd all be a good walk away. The nearest Luas stop is a long walk away too.
The M50 is already burdened with huge traffic, even on the weekends it can be criminal trying to get from one place to another. Adding this in on a weekend would make things unbearable"
Totally agree it's a backwards step vanity project with not much forward thinking.
The 25thousand capacity would cap the amount of people who could even attend games when you consider that has been the average attendance since the spring series inception which rise from 10thousand at Parnell park, we should be aiming to grow even further the attendances not limit them over the next 5/6 years on the back of the success on the pitch of recent years.

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 28/10/2016 16:49:40    1929883

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Replying To hill16no1man:  "Totally agree it's a backwards step vanity project with not much forward thinking.
The 25thousand capacity would cap the amount of people who could even attend games when you consider that has been the average attendance since the spring series inception which rise from 10thousand at Parnell park, we should be aiming to grow even further the attendances not limit them over the next 5/6 years on the back of the success on the pitch of recent years."
Save it for the Dubs forum Hill

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 28/10/2016 17:38:53    1929896

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Replying To jimbodub:  "Save it for the Dubs forum Hill"
WHAT? You mean this isn't the Dublin forum? Ye could have fooled me.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 28/10/2016 18:45:03    1929908

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