Green light for new Tallaght Stadium stand

SOUTH Dublin County Council has given the go-ahead for a new €2.1m stand at Tallaght Stadium.

The decision was formally tabled at the October meeting of the council by CEO Daniel McLoughlin and unanimously accepted by councillors. Tallaght Stadium is the home ground of iconic Dublin club, Shamrock Rovers.

Cllr Charlie O’Connor, who is chairman of the council’s Economic, Enterprise and Tourism Development SPC, warmly welcomed the decision, which will increase capacity at the stadium by 2,150. He said this would facilitate the granting of UEFA category four status, which will make the stadium more attractive for bigger games and other events.

Council management has confirmed that a revised specification and design is being prepared for the third stand and that the projected cost has been raised to €2.1m. Construction is expected to commence in 2017 with a target competition date in the second quarter of 2018.

A report from the council said that budget estimates will be confirmed during the early stage of the project by the design team and that costs will come from surplus funds from the 2015 and 2016 budgets.

Charlie O’Connor said that in welcoming this vital investment in the future of the stadium, the council should still consider the merits of a wraparound horseshoe stand. 

He also hoped that the local authority would continue to consult the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the FAI, who should be asked to assist the project.

“I believe that the quest for additional stand capacity at Tallaght Stadium has widespread support in the Tallaght area and beyond,” Cllr O’Connor added.