Irish Premier Division football teams Bohemian FC and Sligo Rovers, along with Cavan County Council, were the big winners as the Irish Government set out a €173m (£145m/$188.7m) round of funding allocations under its Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
This second round follows a first LSSIF round of allocations announced in January 2020. Some 35 individual projects will share the €173m, with the biggest allocation (€24.7m) granted to the Dalymount Park scheme.
In February, Bohemians were granted planning approval to redevelop Dalymount Park. The project will include new stands to the east and west side of the stadium with provision for around 6,240 seats and two new terraces to the north and south with provision for around 1,794 standing capacity, bringing the total capacity of the stadium to 8,034.
The redevelopment will also include reorientation of the pitch to a north/south axis and installation of a new sand-based grass pitch, as well as a new bar, club offices and merchandise store. The second largest funding package (€19m) has been awarded to the Cavan Regional Sports Campus scheme.
It will go towards phase one of a two-phase development. This will provide a covered sports arena with playing pitch, spectator seating, and other ancillary accommodation.
The Campus masterplan also includes a sports centre building with changing facilities, multi-purpose rooms, reception, and ancillary accommodation. Four Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) fields, a synthetic hockey/multi-sport pitch, cricket practice area/catch-nets are also incorporated, all with lighting.
Sligo Rovers secured the final grant of planning permission for its proposed redevelopment of The Showgrounds stadium in March 2023. Some €16.4m of LSSIF funding will go towards redeveloping the Showgrounds to have a seated capacity of 6,000, surpassing all the requirements of a UEFA Category 3 stadium. The modern multi-sport stadium will have community-accessible indoor facilities.
With the Government’s latest announcement, the cumulative investment from the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund since 2020 now reaches €297m.
The current allocation of €173m follows earlier announcements this year, which included €26m for sports equipment and €230m under the Community Sport Facilities Fund, bringing the total investment in sports capital and recreation for 2024 to €429m.
All applications submitted under the LSSIF Fund were required to have the prioritised endorsement of a National Governing Body for Sport (NGB) or a Local Authority. This prioritisation was one of a number of factors taken into account in the assessment and ultimate ranking of projects.
It was informed by factors such as the potential to enhance sports participation, sustainability, similar access for both men and women, and the ability to execute the project within a specified timeframe. Projects allocated LSSIF funding will now proceed to further evaluation and due diligence processes, which will vary in extent and nature based on the size and specifics of each project.
A new ‘use it or lose it’ clause has been introduced which will ensure that if there has been no drawdown of any part of a grant within two to three years, or before a new LSSIF round is announced, the grant offer will be deemed withdrawn.
In relation to the LSSIF applications which have not received an allocation, a reserve list will be
created. Louth GAA has been interpreted as the biggest loser under the LSSIF, with its new stadium
project for Dundalk having failed to secure any state investment.
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, said: “The Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund plays a crucial role in our strategy to enhance physical activity and well-being among the population.
“By investing in these significant projects, we are ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or ability, has access to high-quality sports facilities. This funding will help to create a legacy of sporting excellence in Ireland, inspiring future generations to engage in physical activity and pursue their sporting ambitions.
“Through this unprecedented investment, the government is establishing a foundation for a more promising future in sports and recreation, emphasising accessibility, sustainability, and community engagement.
“The journey towards building a more active and healthier nation continues, and these projects will play a crucial role in achieving that vision. The standard of facilities has also improved greatly through Government investment in recent years and I have no doubt that these facilities will inspire more people to participate in sport in the future. I look forward to seeing this funding in action.”
