Newbridge College to build new sporting facilities
The synthetic (5G) hockey pitch will replace the existing cinder arena, and will include three-metre high perimeter fencing, stop netting at both ends, and six new 18.3m (60ft) floodlights.
NEWBRIDGE College will reinforce its reputation as an academy of sporting excellence following the news that it is to build two new all-weather pitches – one for hockey and one for rugby.
The development will take place on the existing playing fields, adjacent to the Liffey to the east of the college buildings, and has an estimated price tag of €1.2m.
The synthetic (5G) hockey pitch will replace the existing cinder arena, and will include three-metre high perimeter fencing, stop netting at both ends, and six new 18.3m (60ft) floodlights.
The new rugby pitch will also share some of the old hockey ground’s footprint with similar surround fencing and floodlighting, only the stop netting here will be 12m to 15m high on the Liffey side.
Both new pitches will have the required dugouts and each with its own spectator viewing area.
The development will also involve the construction of a new path from the end of the existing private bridge over the River Liffey to the pitches, including eight new 5m-high streetlights.
Amongst the submission on the plan, before it was granted permission last week, was one from Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) concerning the run-off of sediment into the Liffey during construction, fearing it would have “significant potential”, but would be satisfied if any discharges would be in compliance with EU Directives on surface water.
There were a number of concerns within the planning department, mainly to do with tree removal and replacement, but these fears were assuaged by a comprehensive arboricultural report and landscaping plan.
The planners gave the pitches the go-ahead saying: “They would not injure the amenities of the area, or property in the vicinity, and it is in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area”.
