New Marlay Park athletics track gets go-ahead

DUN Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has confirmed that work on a new e1.2 million athletics track in Marlay Park is expected to get underway in the autumn.

The council’s Director of Environment, Richard Shakespeare, stated that plans for the state-of-the-art athletics track will come before the new council session in September for approval.

The track is being developed in association with Dundrum Athletics Club, which is one of the country’s leading athletics clubs and includes international athletes David Gillick and Maria McCambridge in its membership.

While the club will serve as the anchor tenant and will host national and international meets at the track, the facility will also be designated as a public amenity and will be available to members of the public throughout the year.

The new track will be located in the bottom corner field at the College Road entrance to the park where there was once a grass running facility.

Jim Kidd, Chairman of Dundrum Athletics Club, said the development of the track was particularly exciting for the club’s 850 members.

He added that the club would be making a significant donation to the capital development of the track and would be responsible for its upkeep.

Local Election candidate, Peter Leonard, welcomed the development.

“The Saturday morning 5K run in Marlay Park has been a fantastic success,

? he said.

“However, a purpose built athletics track is needed as part of the park’s sporting infrastructure.

“I congratulate the council and Dundrum Athletics Club in combining to produce a fantastic amenity for our community.

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