Sports Complex officially opens new €150,000 all-weather pitches

TALLAGHT Sports Complex officially opened their two new €150,000 all-weather Astro pitches which local schools and the community are set to benefit from.

The two sports pitches were officially opened on Tuesday, January 18, by Tallaght Sports Complex, with local politicians, councillors and staff from Tallaght Community School in attendance.

The pitches were completed in November 2021, and were partially funded by the Sports Capital Grant, which Tallaght Sports Complex were allocated €124,000 to develop the new pitches.

Speaking with The Echo, manager of Tallaght Sports Complex, Páraic Kenny, said that the pitches have been in the pipeline for the last five years.

“We got the funding from Sports Capital, and we have been trying for a few years to get it but there has been planning permission issues, but we managed to get it this time round,” said Padraic.

“We started the process back in 2016 or 2017 and having gone through the process of applying for the grant a couple of times we learned the best way to do it.”

The complex was granted planning permission to develop three sports pitches, but the total funding would not cover the cost of the third, but Páraic says they hope to receive additional funding in the future.

“We have the space and permission for three, so we are hoping to put a third one in in the next round of applications,” Páraic explained.

The pitches will be a useful amenity for the community, as they can be hired out during the evening and will be used by Tallaght Community School during the daytime.

“We have Knocklyon United, St Maelruain’s and, in the pipeline, we have Special Olympics Ireland who will hopefully be using the pitch,” Páraic added.

“It will be great for the area because so many people will be able to use them for sports and exercise in a safe environment.

“Anybody who have used the pitches so far say that they have found them great, and the surface and the lighting were good, as well as easy parking.”