Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and Cycling Ireland (CI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a €15.4m indoor velodrome on the northside of Limerick City.
The velodrome, which it is hoped will be completed by 2027, will be central to the proposed new multipurpose sports arena on the site of the Technological University’s Coonagh Campus.
TUS applied for planning permission in July from Limerick City and County Council for an indoor arena that will be constructed from a twin-skin pressurised system, similar to the design of the Raymond Poulidor Velodrome in France.
It will feature a 200m cycling track, changing facilities, 476 permanent seated spectator viewing, storage and WC facilities.
The proposed 8,000 sq/m arena is also designed to provide facilities for various sports including gymnastics, badminton, volleyball and tennis as well as uses such as exams and events.
TUS and Cycling Ireland have agreed to pursue the velodrome project as a joint application through the Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund.
The Limerick arena would become the first indoor velodrome outside Dublin, with plans in motion for Ireland’s first indoor cycling track at National Velodrome and Badminton Centre in Abbotstown, which is also scheduled for completion by 2027.
Welcoming the partnership with the national governing body for cycling on the island of Ireland, President of TUS Professor Vincent Cunnane said:
“TUS is committed to building and enhancing relationships and partnerships to drive the sustainable development of our regions and to positively impact our communities.
“The shared values of the university and Cycling Ireland provide the foundations for a strong relationship to meet these goals, working together to provide much needed sport facilities for athletes, while also opening up opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities on the north side of Limerick city and the wider region.
“With our new campus at Coonagh, we have capacity for sports developments and the ideally positioned, multi-use arena incorporating a velodrome will help the development of the north side of the city, while offering wider benefits to Limerick and to the Midwest.”
Neill Delhaye, Cycling Ireland High Performance Head Coach, added: “Sports infrastructure projects, like this Limerick Velodrome, have a hugely positive & wide reaching community benefit. To be able to train, race, have fun and compete all year round in a safe, spectator friendly environment is a potential game changer for cycling at every level from participation, pathway development and all the way to high performance.
“It’s very exciting to think we may soon have two velodrome facilities in Ireland. The athlete & coaching talent we have on this island has as much potential for international success as any country and with facilities like this to get more kids on bikes and develop that talent to potential, we are well positioned for future Olympic & Paralympic cycles.”
Jimmy Browne, Vice President of Campus Services and Capital Development at TUS said: “We want to continue providing high quality facilities to help increase participation in sport, as well as providing quality facilities for the region in line with our Campus Masterplan. This facility will form part of our broader City North Sports Park at Coonagh.
“Limerick has transport infrastructure that makes it easily accessible to most of the country, together with the proximity to Shannon Airport, which makes Limerick an ideal location to also support plans for the national centre in Abbotstown.”
Chief Executive Officer of Cycling Ireland James Quilligan said: “Cycling Ireland operates across all cycling disciplines and is dedicated to promoting, developing, and developing new state-of-the-art facilities on the island of Ireland.
“We are excited that the development of such a facility in Limerick will help develop the sport here and allow international athletes to train here.
“By providing a community-based facility with a 200m velodrome track, it will encourage participation in the sport and can act as a satellite feeder to the Sport Ireland Campus velodrome for events, competitions, and the development of future representative cyclists.”