Sod turning event at St Thomas’ Multisports Campus
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From: Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media
- Published on: 26 March 2025
- Last updated on: 29 March 2025
- Minister O’Donovan in attendance to mark the commencement of Phase 2 construction of Multisports Campus
- new project received €6.45 million in State funding under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (‘LSSIF’)
- Phase 1 saw the completion of the Athletics Track to international standard
- Phase 2 Sod Turning Ceremony today
Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan and Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue have today welcomed the beginnings of the second phase of the construction project which will see the development of a new Multisport Campus offering a wide range of sporting pursuits in the Dundrum area.
Significant support for this project, totaling €6,450,000 has been provided by the department under its Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
The LSSIF-backed project comprises of the provision of a sports building, a multi-purpose gym, changing rooms, offices, toilets, an outdoor 8 lane floodlit running track with track & field facilities and a car park.
Minister O’Donovan commented:
“This is a transformational project for athletics in the Dublin region and I wish to congratulate the entire community and all the project partners on reaching this key milestone. I have no doubt that this facility will be a valued resource which will promote health and fitness for all ages and abilities for many years to come. Irish athletes thrilled audiences at the European Athletics Championship and the Winter Paralympic Games recently, reminding us that sport is a critical part of our individual, community and national life. Our ambition is to see more and more Irish athletes compete at the highest level in sport, and investment in this new facility will support that goal into the future.”
Speaking at the sod turning event today, Minister of State McConalogue said:
“I‘m delighted to attend the sod turning in St Thomas’ Multisport Campus today. The delivery of this wonderful new facility is a testament to the hard work of the local clubs and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. The government and I are determined to see continued investment in such sports facilities in order to ensure we achieve our ambitious targets for sports participation.
"I look forward to seeing many other Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund projects progressing throughout the country in the months ahead. Dundrum South Dublin Athletic Club (DSDAC) is long renowned for its sporting prowess and I have no doubt that this new facility will further develop many future athletics stars and add to existing Olympian list within the club.”
Notes
Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF)
The aim of the LSSIF is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports projects and facilities where the required Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF).
In January 2018, a total of 33 projects were awarded €86.4 million in capital funding under the first round. An additional €37.6 million was announced in December 2023 to bring the LSSIF 2018 allocation to €124 million. In November 2024, a total of 35 projects were awarded €173.5 million in capital funding under LSSIF. To date €297.5 million in funding has been awarded under LSSIF 2018 & LSSIF 2024.