UCC Sports Park & Mardyke Upgrade: Vision Takes Shape
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UCC Advances Plans for €12.2 Million Sports park in Cork
Project Overview
University College Cork (UCC) is moving forward with its enterprising plan to construct a new multi-million euro sports park on the outskirts of Cork City. A €10.6 million capital construction budget, plus a €1.6 million inflationary allowance, has been allocated for the first phase of the project, bringing the total initial investment to €12.2 million (excluding VAT).The advancement aims to considerably enhance sporting facilities for students, staff, and the wider community.
Location and Scope of Phase One
The proposed UCC Sports Park will be located on university-owned lands in Curraheen, strategically positioned between Ballincollig and Cork City, adjacent to the N40 South Ring Road and the Cork Showgrounds. This location offers excellent accessibility and potential for integration with existing sporting and agricultural facilities.
Phase one of the project focuses on creating a versatile sporting hub. Key components include:
- Five Synthetic Pitches: Designed to accommodate soccer, Gaelic games (GAA), and hockey. Synthetic surfaces offer year-round playability,minimizing weather-related disruptions.
- Modular Dressing Rooms: Providing modern and adaptable changing facilities for athletes and teams.
- mardyke sports Grounds Upgrade: Extensive improvements to existing facilities at the historic Mardyke Sports Grounds.
- ‘The Farm’ Sports Grounds Floodlighting: Upgrading floodlighting at the ‘The Farm’ Sports Grounds in Bishopstown to enable evening training and matches.
Tender Process and Timeline
UCC has initiated a competitive tender process for quantity surveying services, with a deadline for submissions set for November 14th. The project brief outlines the €10.6 million construction budget and the additional €1.6 million allocated for inflation. the university has declined to comment further on the plans while the tender process is underway, ensuring a fair and transparent selection process.
The selection of a quantity surveyor is a crucial step, as they will play a key role in managing the project budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness, and overseeing the construction process. Following the appointment of a quantity surveyor, detailed design work and planning permission applications will likely follow.
UCC’s Long-Term vision for Sports Development
The development of the UCC Sports Park represents a important investment in the university’s sporting infrastructure. For the past six years, UCC has been actively exploring options for developing its Curraheen lands into a dedicated sports facility.This long-term vision reflects the university’s commitment to promoting physical activity, supporting elite athletes, and enhancing the overall student experience.