Stadium Ireland plans confirmed

Plans for the Government’s Campus Ireland complex, to be situated in Abbotstown West Dublin, were announced today by Minister for Sports, Tourism and Recreation, Dr. James McDaid

According to McDaid the campus will provide top class facilities for most main stream sports, including a state of the art 80,000 seater stadium, a 50 metre swimming pool (only Ireland’s second) and a 15,000 - 20,000 seater indoor stadium.

It was also confirmed that award-winning German Architects, Behnisch, Behnisch and Partners have won their bid to develop the 500 acre site.

An architects panel is to be appointed by Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Ltd. (CSID), to "ensure that each individual elements of the Campus were of the highest design standards, while still fitting in to the overall coherence of the framework plan."

The unveiling of these plans coincides with the granting of planning permission by Fingal County Council, for the ‘Pool at Abbottstown’ which is the Government’s highest priority in lieu of the fast approaching Special Olympic World Games, 2003.

When commenting on the cost of the project, McDaid first laid the emphasis on ensuring value for money.

"At a £350 million cost to the Exchequer, we would, and I believe do all agree on the imperative need to secure value for money.That is why we have decided to put each and every element of the project out to tender on a public private partnership basis.

The minister added that, in light of some expert suggestions that Campus Ireland would constitute three quarters of the facilities necessary for an Olympic bid,it would be wrong of anybody to aim low.

A specialist group has been set up to analyse the transport possibilites.Preliminary opinions envisage the need fora metro link to Dublin Airport and the City Centre, developing rail infrastructure on the Maynooth line and enhancing bus links and corridors.