Dundalk velodrome hopes boosted after council agree to land disposal

The proposed site map for the new Cuchulainn Cycling Park

Plans for a new cycling park and velodrome in Dundalk earned a significant boost this morning after Louth County Council agreed to a land disposal for the facility at Muirhevnamor Park at their monthly meeting at Co Louth Golf Club in Baltray.

Plans for the Cuchulainn Cycling Park first came about in 2010 when the locally-based Cuchulainn Cycling Club were celebrating their 75^th anniversary.

Planning permission was secured in February 2013 and that December the now defunct Dundalk Town Council approved a 150-year lease of a 5.3 acre site located off Hoey’s Lane, adjacent to Muirhevnamor Community and Sports Centre.

The facility was to include a 250m Velodrome and BMX track, which was expected at the time to cost in the region of €2.5m, with the first two phases coming in at around €250,000 each.

Last February Cuchulainn’s plans changed slightly when they teamed up with Dundalk IT with a view to building the velodrome inside the former JJB facility at Dundalk Retail Park.

However, this was later shot down by students, who had agreed to co-fund the DkIT Sports Arena, which opened its doors in recent weeks.

That put the Muirhevnamor plan back on the agenda although in order to avail of grants, Cuchulainn needed to own the land which brought it back before the council today.

After a long debate, councillors voted by 18 votes to 10 to dispose of the land, with all bar the 10 Sinn Féin councillors consenting.

There’s still a long way to go for the dream of a velodrome in Dundalk to become a reality, of course, but this is a significant step.

Phase one of the project involves the erection of fencing, all associated site ground works and the construction of a BMX track. The second phase will then see the construction of the outdoor velodrome, with phase three – estimated at €2m – bringing about the erection of the roof on the velodrome.

While being planned by Cuchulainn Cycling Club, the facility would be available for use by clubs across the country with 11 of Ireland’s largest cycling clubs said to be located within 1.5 hours of Dundalk.

It is hoped the track will provide a training resource for elite athletes and will promote the sport of cycling with Cuchulainn planning to run special courses through its Cycling Ireland affiliated coaches.

The track will also play host to competitive events including underage, male and female racing.

Major announcement expected on Dundalk velodrome within days

The proposed site map for the new Cuchulainn Cycling Park

Cuchulainn Cycling Club have revealed that they hope to make a “major announcement” about their planned Cycling Park and Velodrome “in the coming days.”

In December Dundalk Town Council approved a 150-year lease of lands at Muirhevnamor for the proposed new facility, which would include a 250m Velodrome and BMX track.

Plans for the Cuchulainn Cycling Park first came about in 2010 as the club were celebrating their 75^thanniversary.

Planning permission was secured in February 2013 and recently a 5.3 acre site was made available. It was to be located off Hoey’s Lane, adjacent to Muirhevnamor Community and Sports Centre.

The overall project is expected to cost in the region of €2.5m, although the first two phases will cost around €250,000 each.

Phase one involves the erection of fencing, all associated site ground works and the construction of a BMX track. The second phase will then see the construction of the outdoor velodrome, with phase three – estimated at €2m – is the erection of the roof on the velodrome.

While the roofing of the velodrome was the last phase, popular cycling website StickyBottle has suggested that the major announcement this week is believed to relate to a different project – one that would be indoors from the beginning.

It would also be in place considerably sooner than in three years time, as had been initially anticipated.

Furthermore, The Irish Times has reported that the velodrome may now be located within an existing building in the area. They claim it could even be in operation as soon as September.

If constructed, it would be the first velodrome in Ireland built to international specifications.