Locals have been expressing delight at the launch of the design plans for the construction of Phase 2 of the Samuel Beckett Civic Campus in Ballyogan.
Work will start in the summer of 2019 and will consist of a new sports building with swimming pool, an events area within the re-landscaped civic space, a park connecting the playing pitches with viewing benches and spectator areas, a change of use of the current sports and community building to a libraries and communities building and a two-storey car park.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said they are delighted with the announcement and that “it is anticipated that completed campus will be open in the summer of 2021”.
Phase 1 was completed in February 2016 and the building houses a Community Centre, Creche and leisure facilities.
Sinn Fein councillor for Glencullen/Sandyford Chris Curran said “the community have been waiting for this day for so long.”
Sinn Fein councillor for Glencullen/Sandyford Chris Curran said Ballyogan Swimming Pool is a victory for the community.
He said: “The community have been waiting for this day for so long.
“The project is vital for the development of community resources considering the forecasted 100% population growth in the immediate area within the next six to ten years.
“Sinn Fein fought hard for the completion of this project.”
Cllr Curran has slammed Minister Shane Ross for “being less vocal” on the Ballyogan project and more vocal on Glenalbyn Swimming Pool.
Cllr Curran this week commented: “This is a victory for the community and resident groups.
“It’s a victory for those who supported us and a victory for the children who pranked Minister Shane Ross last August, despite him clearly pledging his support for the reconstruction of Glenalbyn Swimming Pool, while being less vocal on this project.”
Minister Shane Ross did not respond to Cllr Curran’s comments, however he told Dublin Gazette he is delighted that Phase 2 of the Samuel Beckett Civic Campus is proceeding.
Minister Ross said: “In coming weeks, my Sports Department will publish Ireland’s first ever cohesive Sports Policy document.
“Projects like the Samuel Beckett Civic Campus, which will have a new sports building with a gymnasium and swimming pool among other amenities, are very much at the heart of what we are doing to get people all over the country involved in sports and associated activities.
“Swimming in particular, is being prioritised as a sport which has great potential for generating higher levels of active participation all through a person’s life, and I am delighted that the people of Leopardstown, Ballyogan and Sandyford can look forward to having a local pool on their doorstep.”
