Blackrock rugby club may sell part of grounds

Land worth an estimated €15 million at Blackrock College rugby club in south Dublin could be redeveloped for residential development, The Irish Times has learned.

Proposals to redevelop part of the Blackrock RFC grounds could be brought before its members by October, the club's chairman has said.

The executive committee is currently considering proposals for residential development on about two acres of the grounds at Stradbrook Road, Blackrock.

The real estate is among the most valuable in the country and is estimated to be worth about €15 million.

Funds from the development would be used to upgrade facilities at the 124-year-old club.

The land under consideration for redevelopment is zoned objective E under the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan, to provide for economic development and employment, while residential development is "open for consideration".

The club is considering undertaking the project in partnership with a development company.

Blackrock RFC has played at Stradbrook Road since 1962. The land there, approximately 14 acres, is member-owned and contains three pitches.

Club chairman John Cranfield, said there was no question of the club ever moving from its grounds, but they are considering redeveloping the land to fund much-needed work at the club.

"We have an ongoing need to upgrade our facilities, the last time we touched anything was in 1989," he said.

"We would like to improve the pitches, upgrade the pavilion and develop a gymnasium. A lot of our members would wish to see those facilities. We are not near finalising the proposals but when we do we will bring them before the members first."

He said some of the land at the grounds was "under-utilised" and could be better used to fund improvement works.

"Rugby clubs are the third tier of rugby in Ireland and the IRFU put little resources into clubs in cash terms. Clubs have got to fend for themselves."

Mr Cranfield said the club was very conscious about developing a community-friendly facility and would be careful about consulting local residents, with whom they had "a very good relationship", should the development go ahead.

"This is a members' decision, I will bring the option to them and if they don't embrace it, so be it."