Additional information request on €3.5m Basketball Arena plans

SOUTH Dublin County Council has requested additional information in relation to the proposed €3.5m redevelopment of the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.

Basketball Ireland’s plans include the demolition of the existing arena to make way for the construction of a new multi-functional facility. The new facility is to comprise a main hall sized to allow for 4 full size basketball courts and deployable seating for a FIBA International Rated basketball court with a capacity for 3,272 spectators.

Provision of changing and sanitary facilities is included, as is a foyer with access to ancillary café/shops, sports’ governing-body offices, corporate facilities, and a gym.

The proposed new arena will be a part single/part two-storey/part three-storey structure with a gross internal area of c.7913.3 sq.m, with a projecting canopy along north and east elevations.

Permission is also sought for a car park area with 260 staff and visitor car parking spaces, coach parking, bicycle parking, an ancillary services area and drainage works.

On February 20 last, South Dublin County Council requested additional information from Basketball Ireland about their plans for the new arena.

The requested additional information includes revised drawings, details on the full intended use of the building, a traffic and transport assessment, and ecology and bat surveys.

Information has also been requested about green infrastructure, sustainable movement to include roads and cycling, water management, and construction waste and operational noise management.

Basketball Ireland has six months from the date of the council’s decision to furnish them with the requested additional information in order for a decision to be reached on their proposal.

As reported in The Echo last December, the project has the support of Badminton Ireland, Irish Squash and Volleyball Ireland, who have all expressed an in using the new state-of-the-art amenity.