MTU lodges planning application for indoor athletics centre at Cork campus
MTU hopes to provide a large multi-event space, with space for high jump, pole vault, sprint track, long/triple jump pits, and an elite training facility on the site. Picture: Larry Cummins
Munster Technological University has lodged a planning application for a new multi-million “high-performance indoor athletics centre” at its Bishopstown Campus in Cork City.
To be developed in conjunction with Athletics Ireland, MTU hopes to provide a large multi-event space, with space for high jump, pole vault, sprint track, long/triple jump pits, and an elite training facility on the site.
Part of a wider masterplan for the campus, planners working on the project said the new facility would connect the athletics zone to the wider campus at MTU.
“The client’s objectives in making this application are to develop coaching and technical education, to facilitate athletes’ performance development and competition, and to support and build the community around sport,” O'Connell Mahon Architects said.
“MTU has a student body of 18,000 across six campuses. The High-Performance Athletics Centre is a key development for sports training as well as sports science and education within the university.”
The site for the centre is currently occupied by an all-weather pitch which is served by floodlights, which are set to be removed for the project.
Architects said that the intended staffing and occupancy of the high-peformance facility will be relatively low for the size of the building and that existing car parking capcity will accommodate building occupants.
“This proposal provides an excellent opportunity to realise the wider MTY masterplan goals and deliver a high-quality facility to the university, sporting and wider community,” the application said.
Last December, Athletics Ireland said that it had received €5.1m in supplementary funding from the Government to add to the €9.2m it received from the Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund in 2020.
It said: “In 2020, the first phase of the development of the new MTU gymnasium and basketball arena commenced and these works were completed by August 2023. Currently, phase two the upgrade of the MTU athletics track has commenced and will be completed in the Spring of 2024.
“[This announcement] of €5.1m in supplementary funding for this project will enable AI & MTU to move forward with phase three which includes a large indoor athletics hall, classrooms and sports laboratories.”
Last November, then-Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris officially opened the MTU Arena on the campus, which will lie next to the indoor centre if granted approval.
The 1,340sqm hall is open seven days a week and can accommodate 1,200 people. It was hailed as “transformational for students and staff” at MTU by the now-Taoiseach.
MTU president Maggie Cusack added: “The delivery of this state-of-the-art building is a testament to the dedication of all those involved in the project and to MTU’s commitment to being a truly great university.”
Cork City Council is currently considering the application and has set a date of 1st August for its decision. Submissions can be received by interested parties and members of the public until 11th July.
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