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Work to begin on velodrome and badminton facility

The facility could open as soon as the third quarter of 2027
The facility could open as soon as the third quarter of 2027

Construction on a national velodrome and a badminton centre will begin early next year at the Sport Ireland Campus in Abbotstown, it has been confirmed.

The cost will be between €50-100m, and the Government says the aim is for the facility to contribute to the success of high performance programmes and to increase participation in both sports.

It was previously revealed that the building will include a 250m cycle track, 12 badminton courts and spectator seating.

Ireland has shone in track cycling in recent years, with Lara Gillespie's gold medal in the elimination race at the Track World Championships in Chile among the achievements.

1 September 2024; Katie George Dunlevy, left, and pilot Eve McCrystal of Ireland are cheered on by friends and family after winning silver in the women's 3000m individual pursuit final on day four of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games at Vélodrome de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines in Paris, France. Photo by
Katie George Dunlevy and pilot Eve McCrystal also starred for Ireland at the Paralympics

Meanwhile, a national cricket centre will be built under two phases, with work beginning from 2027.

The cricket centre will provide a permanent home for Irish international cricket that meets International Cricket Council requirements and is in line with international best practice.

A national hockey centre is earmarked to be progressed from 2028.

Other projects include accommodation for athletes, as well as a Sport Ireland institute and maintenance of existing facilities on the campus.

Investment in sporting facilities through the Community Sport Facilities Fund and larger scale projects through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund are set to continue in the coming years.

A new round of the CSFF will launch in 2026, while a new LSSIF fund will open before 2030.

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