Construction Underway for State-of-the-Art Multisport Campus at St. Thomas Fields!

This week, Councillor Jim O'Leary, Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council was joined by Minister Patrick O’Donovan and Minister Charlie McConalogue, Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to officially break ground on phase 2 of the multisport campus at St. Thomas Fields at Tibradden Road, Co. Dublin. This project, in partnership with Dundrum South Dublin Athletics Club and resident clubs, aligns with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council's Corporate Plan and aims to encourage an active lifestyle and promote health and well-being in the community.

Councillor Jim O'Leary, Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council highlighted:

“The campus will serve as a lasting legacy for future generations, inspiring a culture of active participation and holistic development for future athletic stars and hopeful Olympians. We would like to especially thank Dundrum South Dublin Athletics Club for their contributions and collaboration over the years. Through the Parks Capital Programme, we are delivering multiple sports-related projects that will have a positive impact on communities across the county.”

The phase 2 development includes two new buildings comprising a multi-sport building and a track enclosure building. The multi-sport building will feature various amenities such as a gym, flexible studio/hall space, a café, changing rooms, and more. The track enclosure will include a strength and conditioning room, a 60m sprint track with multiple other athletics facilities including long jump, triple jump and high jump. The buildings will be highly flexible in order to maximise occupancy and facilitate multiple use and is expected to be completed by Summer 2026.

Frank Curran, Chief Executive, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said:

"The Council's Local Sports & Physical Activity Plan aims to position Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown as a top destination for sports and physical activity. This development is part of our commitment to delivering sports-related projects that enhance the quality of life in our community. We are dedicated to working with local clubs and organisations to promote participation in sports and physical activities. We would like to thank the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for the significant funding received through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund.”

Minister Patrick O’Donovan Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media 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, Charlie McConalogue, Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media 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 Dún 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.”

Gerry McGrath, Chair of Dundrum South Dublin Athletics Club said:

“We are delighted to welcome, Councillor Jim O’Leary, Cathaoirleach, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Minister O’Donovan and Minister McConalogue to the campus and we look forward to working with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to deliver the next phase of this exciting community development."