EXACTLY TWO YEARS after construction began, Sport Ireland’s new National Indoor Arena was officially opened by Taoiseach Enda Kenny this morning.
Based at the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, the state-of-the-art facility comprises a National Indoor Athletics Training Centre, National Gymnastics Training Centre and a National Indoor Training Centre which can cater for 20 different sports.
The Athletics Training Centre features a retractable 200m banked running track, 60m and 110m sprint tacks, throw, jump and pole-vault areas and permanent seating for 400 spectators.
There are also changing, medical and media facilities while the Indoor Training Centre is a facility designed to host a wide range of sports.
Speaking at this morning’s launch, Minister for Tourism and Sport Shane Ross said: “The development of the Indoor Arena, with its tremendous indoor athletics track, world-class Gymnastics Centre and expansive indoor training facilities, fills an important gap in our national sporting infrastructure.
“The Sport Ireland National Sports Campus is providing access for an ever-wider range of sports and has truly grown to become the home of Irish sport. This new arena will not only provide world-class training facilities but will also present opportunities to attract major events to Ireland.
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“I have no doubt that we will see many international events take place in this facility which, as well as enhancing our international sports reputation, will also contribute to the growth of our sports tourism industry, the fastest growing sector in tourism.”
The opening of the National Indoor Arena is another vital piece of Sport Ireland’s jigsaw as they continue to develop a world-class sports campus in north-west Dublin.
“Sport Ireland is delighted to have reached the stage where we are opening the new Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena,” Sport Ireland chairman Kieran Mulvey added.
The arena will have an impact on athletes of all levels with the facilities catering for the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus participation programmes right through to our top athletes.
“I am delighted that the campus has already secured bookings for a number of high-profile events and I look forward to seeing many people come through the doors in the future.”
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