Sporting facilities included within the development include two all weather pitches, a new sports hall with championship size basketball, a fully equipped gym, a new modern Clubhouse encompassing a reception area, a bar/lounge, games room and large function room, as well as several community meeting rooms. The plans also include parking for 180 cars. Also included in the scheme is a new housing development, which will consist of 85 apartments and 11 townhouses on a section of the site. The proposed development also includes a medical centre and a retail/pharmacy outlet, which the club says is a key aspect to the overall financing of the entire project.

The majority of the funding is already in place due to the club’s sale of 22-acres of land in Collinstown for €22.5m in 2008. The project will be developed in a joint venture with the Marist Fathers in Chanel College. The plans were submitted to Dublin City Council in July, and a decision on the project is due in late September. Due to the nature of the project, it is likely that the plans may then be referred to An Bord Pleanala. Club chairman Frank Gleeson told irishconstruction.com: “Once planning is approved, we will proceed with inviting appropriate companies to tender for the project, and hope to begin construction in early 2010.” It is estimated that 200 people will be employed during the construction phase of the project, which will take 12 months to complete.