Construction of the Dublin velodrome at the National Sports Campus is gaining pace, with €35 million set to be spent on the project this year
The level of spending on the new Dublin velodrome will reach €35 million this year as the construction project gains ground towards completion about 18 months later.
Though the budget has been estimated at between €100 million and €150 million in some official documentation, the Government currently expects the overall spend to come in at the lower end of that scale.
It his latest update about the facility, on the National Sports Campus in west Dublin, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan said it would cost €99.6 million, with just over one third to spent this year.
After Walls Construction was appointed as principal contractor, construction began in February and is now in full swing.
O’Donovan confirmed in the Dáil the current projected cost was €99.6 million, including VAT, contingency and professional fees.
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"It is anticipated that the centre will be completed and in operational use by Q2, 2028," he said. "Based on current cashflow projections, an estimated €35 million will be expended this year, with the remainder to be spent over the lifetime of the project.
"The project will deliver a 250-metre cycling track, the standard required length for hosting major international events. It will also deliver up to 12 badminton courts in the in-track area, seating for 1,000 spectators and ancillary facilities.
“The centre will address the need to provide world-class track cycling facilities for our athletes as well as providing the sport of badminton with integrated training, gym and medical facilities.
"This state of the art facility will afford our track cycling athletes the opportunity to train in Ireland and should have a positive effect on future international performance levels in both sports."
Though the track is not due to be opened before the next Olympics, Cycling Ireland - and riders and clubs across Irish cycling - should get the full benefit of it immediately after the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
The facility should act as a useful tool in attracting more people to cycling in Ireland and should give the sport a major boost. It should also mean Cycling Ireland will be in a position to bring through a much bigger group of riders towards international selection.
