Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Artist's impression of the new velodrome to be built at the National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown. Sport Ireland

Ireland’s first-ever velodrome and badminton centre to be completed by 2027

The indoor cycling track and 12-court badminton facility has got the green light to proceed by government.

IRELAND’S FIRST EVER velodrome, which is to be located at the National Sports Campus, has been given the green light to progress by government.

Along with the indoor cycling track, a 12-court badminton centre is also to be developed at the national sports facility. 

The facility will comprise of a 250 metre cycling track, with the 12 badminton courts located in the in-track area.

Spectator seating and ancillary facilities will also be included at the centre in Blanchardstown, with works scheduled to be completed in 2027. 

With the new facilities up and running, it will mean that track cyclists, in particular, will no longer need to travel abroad to train.

Minister for Sport Catherine Martin and Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne have given approval today for the two projects to proceed to tender. 

The two ministers said they are committed to ensuring that Irish athletes have the best training facilities to reach their goals.

Screenshot - 2024-07-31T210108.034

“As we proudly support Team Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic games in Paris, the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre will support the next generation of athletes,” Martin said. 

The state-of-the-art track cycling facilities will ensure athletes can train and compete at home, and will allow athletes in both sports to reach optimal performance levels on the international stage, added Martin.

Byrne said he understands that continued government investment is essential to increasing participation levels in all sports, across all sectors of society.

“In order to achieve our participation targets, we must continue to provide world-class sporting facilities. The addition of the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre to our National Sports Campus shows our commitment to supporting athletes from the grassroots to the high performance level,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of Sport Ireland, Dr. Úna May described the progress as an “exhilarating next step in advancing what is already a world-leading location for sport”.

Top-class training facilities will allow Ireland host competitions and significantly enhance the high-performance environment on the Sport Ireland Campus, she added. 

“It’s exactly the sort of continued investment that is absolutely crucial for boosting participation from grassroots levels to elite athletes. We’re all enjoying the Olympics, and this will only enhance high-performing Irish cyclers’ chances of international, Olympic and Paralympic medals in the future,” she said, adding that she can’t wait to see the positive impact the facilities will have in cycling and badminton. 

 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
59 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute CWrex
    Favourite CWrex
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 9:23 AM

    Ireland’s first purpose-built Velodrome was in fact in Waterford and built at the turn of the 20th Century. There are still some remnants left of the Velodrome in The People’s Park on the south side of the city.
    Another was later built in Kanturk in Co. Cork.

    92
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Blaine
    Favourite Dermot Blaine
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 9:39 AM

    @CWrex: there is an outdoor one in sundries, crumlin

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute CWrex
    Favourite CWrex
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 3:46 PM

    @Dermot Blaine:

    1
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Blaine
    Favourite Dermot Blaine
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 5:38 PM

    @Dermot Blaine: Sundrive

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jerry LeFrog
    Favourite Jerry LeFrog
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 9:40 AM

    Strangely enough, the article doesn’t quote any price -or I missed it- and says this vanity project will be ready in 3 years only… The National Children’s Hospital comes to mind…
    Have indoor cycling and badminton become majority sports overnight? Will the outcomes justify the costs?

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jerry LeFrog
    Favourite Jerry LeFrog
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 9:43 AM

    @Jerry LeFrog: and will these underfunded athletes be paid more to sustain themselves while training “at home”?

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Blaine
    Favourite Dermot Blaine
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 9:51 AM

    @Jerry LeFrog: since when do we only cater fir majority sports? GAA and horse racing gobble up the bulk of our sporting budget, but minority sports, like swimming, athletics , gymnastics cycling have to be catered for too. This velodrome is long overdue, should have been built years ago

    116
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
    Favourite Sean O'Dhubhghaill
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:27 AM

    @Jerry LeFrog: Did you ever think that the reason track cycling is a minority sport is that we DON’T have a decent veledrome?? Build It and They Will Come!

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Howe
    Favourite Michael Howe
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:30 AM

    @Jerry LeFrog: why worry about a little thing like money or planning as we have plenty, sure with our new railway system, Metro, Cork Luas, Cork event centre, double dole, electric help out money and whatever you want yourself you’d think there was an election due to be called

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thesaltyurchin
    Favourite Thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:34 AM

    @Jerry LeFrog: This is one of the reasons why we have nothing.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Mcnally
    Favourite James Mcnally
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:50 AM

    @Dermot Blaine: they should have included in their plans, as the uk have done, a full standard BMX track alongside to bring that minority sport into the next level.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Firestarter
    Favourite The Firestarter
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:56 AM

    @Jerry LeFrog: Hard to know, although it worked extremely well for Team GB who have pretty much dominated cycling at the Olympics for years. However this is Ireland, so as you say more than likely this centre will not be built by 2027, and will cost at least twice or treple the initial cost.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute H Woo
    Favourite H Woo
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 11:28 AM

    @Jerry LeFrog:

    Yes

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Blaine
    Favourite Dermot Blaine
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 3:27 PM

    @James Mcnally: that’s true. Some of the velodromes in the UK make money by opening up bmx tracks, etc, to the public. BMX facilities are hugely popular in the UK. Virtually none here, then we complain there’s noting fir the kids to do. One of the highlights for me so far in the Olympics, apart from the Irish medals, was the BMX freestyle. It’s literally incredible what they do.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute offside again
    Favourite offside again
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 9:25 AM

    Ire-land is not really a cycling country thanks a bit to the weather, but mostly because of the appalling attitude and behaviour of car drivers.

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jerry LeFrog
    Favourite Jerry LeFrog
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 9:37 AM

    @offside again: are you trying to start a heated conversation?
    I can answer with the appalling behaviour of lycra-clad cyclists: always running red lights at speed, shouting at pedestrians who cross at green man in front of them, etc. How can you demand respect when you behave like that?
    I’m all for sharing the roads, I cycle sometimes too for leisure, but when I do I stop at red lights and I don’t pretend the road belongs to me alone

    125
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Parker
    Favourite Sean Parker
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 9:40 AM

    @offside again: go back to bed.

    55
    See 18 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick K
    Favourite Patrick K
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 9:43 AM

    @Jerry LeFrog: don’t mind her Jerry she loves a bit of drama, she is stirring the pot again

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute offside again
    Favourite offside again
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 9:59 AM

    @Jerry LeFrog: No Jerry, I’m not. Just stating a fact. The behaviour of motorists is worse as they can kill. I’ve never cycled in Dublin but I did in the countryside, and I stopped because of the amount of times cars flew past with inches to spare. If I had had to avoid a pothole at the same moment, I’d be dead now.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James T.Kirk
    Favourite James T.Kirk
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:00 AM

    @Jerry LeFrog: lol! Lycra-clad cyclists are a small minority of cyclists. Cyclists in Ireland are putting their lives on the line cycling on Irish roads every day.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute offside again
    Favourite offside again
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:02 AM

    @Sean Parker: I’d say you just got out of bed ..

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute offside again
    Favourite offside again
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:02 AM

    @Patrick K: clown

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thesaltyurchin
    Favourite Thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:08 AM

    @offside again: What about that glorious generation? Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche, the Tour De France racers slamming into the hay bales that lined o Connell st. in Limerick! great times. It does be wet tho

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jerry LeFrog
    Favourite Jerry LeFrog
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:19 AM

    @James T.Kirk: they’re a minority, I grant you that, but a noisy and annoying one. And their behaviour sadly reflects on all cyclists… Hence the lack of respect

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jerry LeFrog
    Favourite Jerry LeFrog
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:24 AM

    @offside again: fair enough, it can be dangerous down the country, and glad to hear you’re still in one piece. Driver ignorance must also be condemned, no doubt. When driving I always give a wide berth if overtaking cyclists, to the cost of waiting 1km for a safe opportunity if needs be.
    What annoys me is cyclist behaviour in town and suburban areas, constant ignoring of traffic lights etc. as mentioned before.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jerry LeFrog
    Favourite Jerry LeFrog
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:29 AM

    @Jerry LeFrog: don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I’m perfect, far from it! Very far…
    I’m just considerate of others, and I respect the Rules of the Road.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute offside again
    Favourite offside again
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:45 AM

    @Jerry LeFrog: that ‘lack of respect’ gets cyclists killed you know. My experiences of Ire-land is that it’s (usually bad) drivers who think they own the road and Irish drivers are not great generally. I’ve cycled the length and breadth of France without a single problem. A different culture altogether !

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute offside again
    Favourite offside again
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:53 AM

    @Jerry LeFrog: fair play Jerry ! Your name suggests you are French, hence your considerate driving !
    Mind you, cycling in Paris was wild stuff !!!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Foster
    Favourite Stephen Foster
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 11:20 AM

    @offside again: pi$$ of ye flute

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Foster
    Favourite Stephen Foster
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 11:20 AM

    @Stephen Foster: *off

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute offside again
    Favourite offside again
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 11:43 AM

    @Stephen Foster: wow ! Using chav language and being worried about spelling at the same time ! That’s a good one tbf !
    I bet you’re Ire-ish ..

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fidgenti
    Favourite Fidgenti
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 2:23 PM

    @Jerry LeFrog: The Lycra Posse are an embarrassment to cycling. They actually pay to wear pro jerseys with sponsors logos wgich is pathetically childish,much like their petulance towards drivers, pedestrians and mountain bikers. Funny how it’s always the road bikers bitching and moaning. I’ve never once had a problem with any driver when I’m out cycling. And I don’t mind stopping and pulling in on a narrow road to let traffic pass me , because I actually realise that I’m not a professional cyclist unlike these sad and embittered road bikers.Bunch of Karens

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Foster
    Favourite Stephen Foster
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 2:28 PM

    @offside again: how about this… Tw@t….?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Foster
    Favourite Stephen Foster
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 2:31 PM

    @offside again: and “chav” language..? I said “piss off ye flute”….ye really haven’t a clue.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute offside again
    Favourite offside again
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 5:42 PM

    @Stephen Foster: Stephen, deal with your anger issues ! Go out for a cycle..

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute big john
    Favourite big john
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:39 AM

    OMG, imagine all the people we could house in it

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute colm kelly
    Favourite colm kelly
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 11:00 AM

    And back into Dublin we go again in the traffic. What is the problem with building something like this in the midlands?

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spanner
    Favourite Spanner
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 11:43 AM

    @colm kelly: it’s 2 miles off the m50, on a greenfield site we own. This was supposed to be built when the sports campus was first proposed but sidelind as unneeded. We now have a cadre of high performing Irish track cyclists who once again have to train abroad. Facilities are lacking in all sports here for all sports that compete on the world stage and instead of the Dublin once again debate, we should be happy it’s being built and looking for more centers of excellence nationwide. Sport dosent stop with hurling and football or horse racing

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute offside again
    Favourite offside again
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 11:55 AM

    @Spanner: the Ire-ish don’t want good things for other people. Inward looking selfish people

    5
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dermot Blaine
    Favourite Dermot Blaine
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 3:30 PM

    @colm kelly: because it’s on an already existing sport campus/centre of excellence.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colette Byrne
    Favourite Colette Byrne
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:07 AM

    Out to tender,those last famous words, well I hope there is a clawback from who energetic to build it, if there are over spends or over runs on project. Let’s remember it’s taxpayers’ money.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colette Byrne
    Favourite Colette Byrne
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 10:10 AM

    @Colette Byrne: who ever gets to build, not energetic. Oops

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fidgenti
    Favourite Fidgenti
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 2:26 PM

    @Colette Byrne: It will probably end up being another BAM Scam.

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Foster
    Favourite Stephen Foster
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 11:19 AM

    Considering how rich this country is, we are so far behind when it comes to funding sports and the arts. We are constantly punching above our weight despite the lack of support from the government.

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute H Woo
    Favourite H Woo
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 11:32 AM

    @Stephen Foster:
    The Arts.
    What a bunch of in entitled work dodgers.
    They can go play with their hobbies on the weekend like the taxpayers have to.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Foster
    Favourite Stephen Foster
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 2:30 PM

    @H Woo: imagine what the world would be like if we all had that attitude…..what a miserable git.

    6
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TheGood Feign
    Favourite TheGood Feign
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 11:39 PM

    @H Woo: nobody ever created great art as a hobby, it always took decades of experience to build to that level. Disclosure, I work in an office am not an artist, but I am happy to support them with my taxes.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Walsh
    Favourite Liam Walsh
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 11:00 AM

    2027!!! What a joke it’s Paddy Ireland wake up it will never be done, it will be shelved when they get back into power, citing money problems as the reason it’s not being done

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john kenny
    Favourite john kenny
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 12:10 PM

    Great news. Good progression, but should have been built 30 years ago.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Allo Allo
    Favourite Allo Allo
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 11:40 AM

    Cyclest are like dog owners that leave their Dog’s poop behind, they believe rules are for other people and refuse to follow them, then when an infringement is perceived against them they cry foul.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute offside again
    Favourite offside again
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 11:49 AM

    @Allo Allo: ignorant uneducated comment

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Spanner
    Favourite Spanner
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 6:55 PM

    @Allo Allo: not nice. The term cyclist covers a large number of disciplines. The vast majority of whom are commuters and yes many do disobey the rules of the road but so do many motorists, motor bikers, truck and van drivers. You can’t paint everyone with the same brush but don’t let this cloud your colourful opinion of cyclists.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tezmond McVicar
    Favourite Tezmond McVicar
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 1:40 PM

    Any chance of an ice rink in the Republic of Ireland no?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padraig O'Brien
    Favourite Padraig O'Brien
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 12:46 PM

    Will there be shuttle buses to it?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute joe diskin
    Favourite joe diskin
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 2:48 PM

    Hope it’s not another Dublin Tunnel ,or Chrildren’s Hospital,
    gravytrain for TRAITORS.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daniel Roche
    Favourite Daniel Roche
    Report
    Aug 1st 2024, 3:23 PM

    Great news.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joan Grennan
    Favourite Joan Grennan
    Report
    Aug 4th 2024, 9:06 PM

    Whatever about cycling it’s a crying shame how neglected badminton is and has been .It is the most inexpensive sociable and user friendly sport imaginable .We have people playing it in parish halls all over the country and it should be very simple with support to organise county leagues ,provincials etc to be televised Without the oxygen publicity we will never see it develop ,When I said user friendly I can attest that it is a favourite sport of special needs adults and every age group out there .

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds