Shelbourne Park not reaching potential, says Andrews

Sinn Féin TD Chris Andrews says that Shelbourne Park should become a multi-purpose stadium, instead of merely existing as a greyhound track.

The Dublin Bay South TD raised the issue in the Dáil, and said that the facility has “failed to reach its potential.”

He said that more should be done to make the facility a public utility. 

Noting that the greyhound track has historically created a strong bond between the communities of Ringsend and South Lotts, Andrews said “the cohesion and engagement between the stadium and the local community have been eroding in recent years.”

“While Shelbourne Park is best known now for greyhound racing, it is less known that it was probably one of the first multisport facilities in the State. Along with greyhound racing, it has hosted Shelbourne football club as its home ground. It was twice the venue for FAI Cup finals. In the seventies, speedway racing was staged there. It was a multisport facility. There was a variety of entertainment at Shelbourne Park for the whole community.”

“In recent decades, however, this has slipped away. This brilliant stadium, situated in the heart of the city, has failed to reach its potential; racing only takes place there three nights a week.”

Andrews pointed to the greyhound stadium in Galway being pulling double duty as the home ground of the rugby team Connacht, and said that a similar set-up should happen in Dublin.

“It is clear that multisport facilities are highly cost-effective, providing a great return on capital investment and a big return for the local community.”

In early 2022, Greyhound Racing Ireland announced that greyhound racing would continue at the stadium “for another 30 years,” and a statement from the company read “this flagship stadium in the our portfolio is to greyhound racing what Croke Park is to Gaelic games, and it remains a significant social and cultural asset to the people of Dublin and Ireland alike.”

Andrews noted that work is due to begin on the redevelopment of Shelbourne Park, but said “there has not really been an effort to fully utilise this facility’s potential.”

“It has huge potential. It could host a number of different sports but that commitment has to be made, supported and resourced by Government.”

“With this development, there is talk of the stand being upgraded to a seven-day conference and meeting facility. I believe this is a missed opportunity. Community benefit should be an integral part of any redevelopment plans. Shelbourne Park has great potential to be a recreational asset to the people of all of Dublin.”

Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan agreed with Andrews’ assertions, but noted that the stadium is directly competing with other sports facilities, such as Croke Park and the Aviva Stadium.

However, Noonan said “the offering currently at Shelbourne Park does not meet the expectation of the modern customer.”

“There is no doubt that some essential improvement works in track and basic facilities are required. There is also a necessity to refresh and improve a number of areas of Shelbourne Park both to keep pace with current trends and to deliver the experience that is required,” and noted that officials as his Department are currently weighing up proposals surrounding the redevelopment of Shelbourne Staidum. 

The site is currently under split ownership, with the stand owned by the greyhound community, and the track itself owned by a private entity. 

Andrews noted that the track is under a 99-year lease from that private entity, and have been attempts by the owners of the track to have the land rezoned for housing.

Andrews stated “this clearly shows the mindset of those owning the land. That is a huge concern for the local community. It shows that there is an intent to redevelop that site for housing or offices.”

“With the housing development at the Irish Glass Bottle site, Ringsend, South Lotts and Pearse Street cannot afford to lost this sports facility. It is important we protect it.”

Noonan noted that the greyhound industry provides and supports “considerable employment both directly and indirectly across the economy.”

“It is estimated that in 2019, the industry supported over 4,000 full-time and part-time jobs in the economy. In addition, there are over 6,000 active greyhound owners. The total number of people deriving economic benefit from the sector is estimated at over 10,000.”

Noonan told the Dáil that a draft strategic plan, that outlines how the stadium will develop over the next five years, will be completed in the next few months. 

The lease on the racing track will expire in 2052, while an option to apply for a sporting lease will be granted in 2037.

Noonan said that the management of Shelbourne Park and any future use is a matter for  Greyhound Racing Ireland  in line with its legislative and strategic responsibilities, but suggested that they should be called before a Dáil committee on further discussions on the matter.

He added that there was an element of “future-proofing” sports facilities, and said “it is essential to try broaden the use of such a facility.”

Andrews noted that nearly 10,000 people will be moving into the Irish Glass Bottle site, “a stone’s throw from the stadium,” and like any new community, it needs recreational facilities to support it.

“Office facilities and hospitality suites are not really what are needed. We need sports facilities. Liffey Wanderers is a very successful local football club. Why not ensure that its team can play in the middle of the greyhound track?”

Andrews said “there is a huge opportunity here and it would be a missed if we allowed Shelbourne Park to be sold, redeveloped or dismantled piece by piece.”

Noonan agreed with Andrews, and stated “there will be a much bigger population in the area when the glass bottle site is developed; it is important to look to the future and see what other potential uses could be there and included in the redevelopment.”