04-07-2025
Funding difficulties delay work on Wicklow sports park
In May 2024 plans for the new facility were unanimously welcomed by the elected members of Bray Municipal District, following a presentation by county council officials on how the project would proceed.
During the public consultation process, Ardmore Rovers supporters made over 1,300 submissions, with 11 filed by Ballywaltrim United.
There wasn't unanimous support of providing adult exercise equipment, however many acknowledged the need for an upgrade to facilities and an all-weather surface, running track, sand pitches, cycling connections and tracks, and different walks to link up with other areas.
There was a call for the new facility to be 'multi-sport' and include everything from soccer and GAA to cycling.
The project which will be delivered over five separate phases hit a setback last November, when it failed to secure funding under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). None of the projects for the Garden County were approved.
Wicklow County Council was allocated funding in September under the Sports Capital Grant.
However, it received just of €153,648 of an estimated €250k to €300k needed to pay for that early stage of the project.
The LSSIF would have helped to cover a large part of phase two, which was costed at approximately €1.2m, required to cover just one section of the project, the hugely anticipated running track.
Meanwhile, the estimated expenditure for phase three, which includes cycle and BMX tracks, is in the region of €200k. Further pitch upgrades are also included in phase three, at an estimated cost of €120k.
Plans for phases four and five have not been fully progressed but are understood to include changing facilities and common area exercise facilities.
Speaking during the July meeting of Bray Municipal District, Cllr Dermot Daisy O' Brien said it was important that momentum is not lost in working to get the project off the ground.
In agreement Cllr Erika Doyle insisted that residents must not be left feeling like they are being left behind.
'We need to help push this forward.' she added.
In response, executive engineer Stephen Fox said it would be premature to provide a timeline on the works.
'The latest update I have is that we're looking at getting a sample lighting design ready for consultants to review.'
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
