Sport Minister Catherine Martin has announced approval for the planning and design of a National Cricket Stadium.
The planned centre, to be established at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown, Dublin, aims to provide a permanent base for cricket in Ireland, designed to meet International Cricket Council standards for hosting significant cricket events and tournaments.
The proposed facilities are expected to feature both indoor and outdoor practice and training areas, along with an arena equipped for major games, including media and spectator amenities. The project seeks to position Ireland to host major international cricket events.
The stadium is intended to be completed in phases, with the first phase set for completion in 2028. This initial phase will include the construction of a main cricket oval, seating for 4,000 spectators, a high-performance centre, and various supporting facilities.
The process is expected to be completed by mid-2025, at which point it will go to tender phase.
Minister Martin noted that the sport had grown significantly in recent years, particularly among the South Asian community.
“While cricket is a sport with really deep roots in Ireland, it’s also a sport that reflects the diversity and plurality of today’s society,” she said.
“It is really pleasing to see how the sport has grown, at all levels, in Ireland over recent years, particularly the increase in female participation numbers and among our growing community from South Asia. A National Stadium and High Performance Centre will provide Cricket Ireland with the facilities required to further grow participation numbers.”
She also added that the stadium’s training facilities would allow “Ireland’s elite teams to compete at the highest international levels.”
“As we enjoy the success of Team Ireland athletes at the Olympics in Paris, we look forward to the return of cricket as an Olympic sport in Los Angeles in 2028,” she said.
“I have no doubt that this new facility will deliver a transformational impact on Irish cricket and, as a result, we will be cheering on Irish teams at Olympic Games in the not too distant future.”
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Sport and Physical Education Thomas Byrne described the approval of the stadium’s planning as “timely”.
“As we look forward to Ireland co-hosting the 2030 Men’s Cricket T20 World Cup with the UK, the development of a National Cricket Stadium and High Performance Centre is timely,” he said.
“It will be really exciting to see some of those matches taking place in the new oval at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown. It will further open up the Campus to the wider country and build awareness of what a unique asset Ireland has in this 550 acre site.”
He added: “The National Sports Campus is already an invaluable part of the sporting infrastructure of the country and this development, along with the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre, will further enhance what are already world class sporting and support facilities.”
Sport Ireland CEO Dr. Úna May said that her organisation was “very happy” with the news.
“This news marks a significant milestone in the Government’s commitment to elevating Irish cricket to new heights,” she added.
Asked what was the earliest the project could expect to be in use, a Department spokesman told Gript that there were certain plans in place, but that the exact opening timeline “couldn’t possibly be determined until the tendering process is completed.”
Source link : https://gript.ie/government-approves-plans-for-a-new-national-cricket-stadium/
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Publish date : 2024-08-14 20:09:15
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