Vision for new UCC Sports Park takes shape while Mardyke also set for upgrade
The Mardyke sports complex. As part of the UCC proposed development the Mardyke would see resurfacing of the existing synthetic hockey pitch to convert it into a recreational sporting facility that could be used for five-a-side, new changing rooms adjacent the GAA pitch, and a new boat storage area, along with floodlight upgrades.
Picture: Dan Linehan
UCC's vision for a new multimillion euro sports development on the outskirts of Cork city is taking shape, with a €10m capital construction budget in place for the project's first phase.
The college plans to develop the UCC Sports Park on its lands in Curraheen, between Ballincollig and the city centre near the N40 South Ring Road, bordering the Cork Showgrounds owned by the Munster Agricultural Society.
In the first phase, UCC plans five synthetic pitches for soccer, GAA, and hockey, along with modular dressing rooms. It would also extensively upgrade the facilities at the Mardyke Sports Grounds, and upgrade floodlighting at ‘The Farm’ Sports Grounds in Bishopstown.
A competition tender for quantity surveying services for the project was published this week. “The capital construction budget for Phase 1 is €10.6m excluding Vat in addition to an inflationary allowance of €1.6m exclusive of Vat,” a project brief stated.
The deadline for receipt of tenders is November 14. A UCC spokesperson said the college would not comment on its plans while the tender process is taking place.
For the past six years, UCC has been looking into developing a sports park at its Curraheen lands. The site of the proposed park is on 126 acres of land initially purchased 13 years ago by UCC along with the Munster Agricultural Society for a reputed €3m to €4m. Since then, the Munster Agricultural Society has developed the Cork Showgrounds, home to the annual Cork Summer Show, on its portion of the land.
In the long term, the proposed UCC Sports Park would include four grass soccer pitches including one up to Fifa standard; two synthetic soccer pitches with floodlighting; one grass GAA pitch and one synthetic GAA pitch with floodlighting; one natural rugby pitch and one synthetic rugby pitch; two water-based floodlit synthetic hockey pitches, changing rooms, and equipment and maintenance stores.
A two-storey, 2,500m sq pavillion incorporating 14 changing rooms, stores, physio and team rooms, spectator viewing areas, bar and function rooms are also envisaged. The project would also require the infrastructural development of roads, paths, parking, drainage utilities, and biodiversity spaces.
Flood protection will also be a major consideration. “All sites are prone to flooding. This will need to be mitigated against during the operational lifespan of any buildings and pitches and during the construction period,” said the project brief.
The ‘Outdoor Sports Facility Phase 1’ plans also include extensive upgrades of the Mardyke Sports Grounds.
The plans for the Mardyke would see the existing rugby stand replaced with a new two-storey 2,000m sq stand with changing facilities, offices, indoor rowing training, storage and public toilets. Other developments would include two new floodlit padel tennis courts, outdoor table tennis tables, a hurling wall, resurfacing of the existing synthetic hockey pitch, boat storage, and new drainage and irrigation systems.
The first phase of development at the Mardyke would see resurfacing of the existing synthetic hockey pitch to convert it into a recreational sporting facility that could be used for five-a-side, new changing rooms adjacent the GAA pitch, and a new boat storage area, along with floodlight upgrades. “Upgrading of the floodlights at the Mardyke must be progressed concurrently with the masterplan and be delivered by September 2026,” the project brief states.
At The Farm, the commission would see new LED for three pitches and development of new modular changing rooms. These would be operational by September 2026.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
