€385k tennis club air dome to open in village
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THE long-running saga of the development of an air dome in Templeogue Tennis Club will reach its conclusion on Saturday, when the new air dome will be officially opened.
The €385,000 all weather air dome facility will be opening more than four years after planning permission was first lodged for the facility.
Templeogue Tennis Club’s first application for the facility was refused in 2014, they then applied again the following year and South Dublin County Council once again refused permission.
The club’s second application failed despite the club re-submitting plans for a scaled down version, reducing the maximum height of the air dome from 11.5 to 11 metres.
The club then submitted a third application in late 2016, which was again refused by South Dublin County Council, but they then appealed this decision to An Bord Pleanala who ultimately granted permission for the air dome in November 2017.
The air dome was also a contentious topic in the community which led a number of local residents, primarily from the adjoining Riverside Cottages, to lodge objections to the air dome.
The residents citied concerns about the potential “overbearing impact” of the proposed development, and the potential impact on visual and residential amenities.
ABP deemed the temporary air dome structure would not seriously injure visual and residential amenities, that it would not have a negative impact on the Dodder Valley, and would, therefore, be in accordance with proper planning and sustainable development of the area.
The air dome will now allow tennis players to play “whatever the weather”, according to Templeogue Tennis Club, and the funding for the air dome was obtained through the Sports Capital Grant and self-funding.
Duncan Black, president of Templeogue Tennis Club, said: “We are now able to offer our 1,200+ members three indoor courts.
“This is an investment in our tennis programs, providing an extra 5,000 playing hours with our new air dome as well as better value for our members.”
The new air dome will be officially opened on Saturday, November 24, at 2pm by Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy.
The charity partner for the day will be Crumlin Children’s Hospital CMRF, and the opening will be followed by an exhibition match with Ireland’s Davis Cup Captain Conor Niland and fellow tennis pro Scott Barron.
