Balbriggan RFC Plans

Bluetonic

For anyone who's interested this site is just up past North County cricket ground, off the Inch.

By Hubert Murphy

ONE of the most modern sporting developments in the country has been earmarked for a site in Balrothery, now home to Balbriggan RFC.

The project, which could cost between €8 million and €10 million when complete over two phases, is a public private proposal, involving the local rugby club and leisure centre specialists, Kingfisher. The company has pledged €5 million to the development.

The centre has also been embraced by the IRFU as it will feature top of the range specialist training and fitness facilities. There will be four pitches as well as a French-style all-weather covered arena.

It’s also proposed to have a 25m swimming pool on site, open to the public.

Named the Phoenix Project, the plan also features a clubhouse for the Balbriggan club and all their requirements.

‘This is a major project and as a club we have been working on it for a number of years. It is great to now be at the stage that the pitches will be ready for playing shortly and we now have definitive plans for the clubhouse.

‘The intent is to proceed to planning with the plans shortly and while the pool project still awaits the grant application process it is hoped the two projects can proceed at the same time as there will be synergies in development costs,’ stated club president Robert Cashell.

The plans were unveiled on Monday night at the Bracken Court Hotel with the president outlining the exciting aspects of the development.

The project began in 1999 under Cashell and Project Director Gerry Hennigan with the aims of developing facilities and the development of the playing side of the game, particularly youths.

‘These are exciting times for the club and I’d like to thank the club members in bringing the project to this stage but also the assistance received from many sources notably, Murphy Environmental, Michael Rock and Fingal County Council. In addition the Club has received support from the National Lottery sports grants for various aspects of the project and the club acknowledge this support,’ he stated.

The president also feels that the project is a great example of the public and private sectors working together to provide much needed facilities for the community.

http://www.unison.ie/fingal_independent/stories.php3?ca=34&si=1804150&issue_id=15445

Moonbeam

I think it is great,the more local public facilites the better it is for the community.

People can mix better and get to know people too.

and a swimming pool would be lovely:)

Bluetonic

Great to see that this funding isn't being lost on, even better that it's now going to the Balbriggan (Balrothery) area

Minister Sargent Welcomes News that North Dublin will have a Swimming Pool

Commenting on the news that funding remains safe for the development of a full-sized, publicly accesible swimming pool for Dublin North, Minister Sargent had this to say. “I am delighted that there will be a swimming pool available to the public of the North County. Whilst I realise that not everyone will be happy with the proposed location, having the facility somewhere in the area is better than not having it at all.”

Minister Sargent further explained “despite the huge effort by the committee in Skerries, Fingal County Council were not prepared to provide capital funding without the Skerries swimming pool committee providing €2m towards the project. As the committee were unfortunately not able to attain this demanding target the project was set to loose the €3.8m grant from the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism. When it became clear that this level of funding was to be lost to the North County and that it would be possible to include a publicly available swimming pool in the Balbriggan Rugby Club development, I intervened with Minister Martin Cullen to ensure that the €3.8m would not be lost to the area. The Balbriggan project was 3 years in the making and was already subject to public scrutiny.”

The new pool will now be developed at the site of the Balbriggan Rugby Club. The location of the proposed Skerries swimming pool was the Ballast Pit. “Public transport and access to the swimming pool will be vital“, continued Minister Sargent. “My colleague, Cllr Stephen Kilgallon on Balbriggan Town Council is working on getting better public transport facilities between Skerries and Balbriggan that would include servicing the new swimming pool.”

cbreeze

huge amount of grief in skerries about the ministerette's statement. Not over yet

blastman

How long is it since the pool in Skerries closed down? A town the size Balbriggan is now should have a pool anyway, it's not exactly crawling with leisure amenities.

Dracman

Just wondering if anyone has an update on the project. Is it still going ahead or has it been held back due to the usual "budget problem" excuse we seem to be hearing all the time these days.
Great project...hope it still has the green light.

Bluetonic

It has full planning after a number of objects and An Bord Pleanála inspection/hearing but is dependent on the upgrade of waste water treatment systems locally by FCC so the chances of seeing it any time soon are few and far between.

Corsendonk

Good to see one of the richest Rugby clubs in the country getting the chance to invest that money to benefit its area.

Dracman

Bluetonic wrote: »

It has full planning after a number of objects and An Bord Pleanála inspection/hearing but is dependent on the upgrade of waste water treatment systems locally by FCC so the chances of seeing it any time soon are few and far between.

Typical.....and yes, it will be a very very long time until somethings done. Ah well, just have to sneak into the resevoir for a swim during our "hot" summer months.....ahem! :rolleyes:

LeoB

Looking at the way Balbriggan has sprawled over the last decade this project should be pushed as hard as possible now.

Despite our current situation there will be money for certain projects and this looks like it will benefit a lot of the community. Despite it being on Rugby grounds all clubs should back this proposal and lobby hard to get even the first phase of it up and running. The I.R.F.U should also use its influence to get this moving.

Good luck to Balbriggan with this.

Bluetonic

LeoB wrote: »

The I.R.F.U should also use its influence to get this moving.

What influence do the IRFU have with regards to the waste water project getting started/funded?

LeoB

Bluetonic wrote: »

What influence do the IRFU have with regards to the waste water project getting started/funded?

I am talking in terms of the I.R.F.U using its "clout" within Sports departments to assist the club. Same as any other sporting organisation would do. They all have ways getting funding when its needed.

And I dont believe Fingal are totally broke and it also depends on the level of upgrade works that need to be carried out. I think this project would be a superb addition to the good clubs in the Balbriggan area and should be priortised on the merits of its value to the whole community.

Daragh86

Dracman wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone has an update on the project. Is it still going ahead or has it been held back due to the usual "budget problem" excuse we seem to be hearing all the time these days.
Great project...hope it still has the green light.

Great project that has been promised to members for in or around ten years now. It should be scrapped, build the club a weel needed clubhouse on the grounds and worry about the fancy high tech stuff down the line when it is an actual possibility. The club should stop promising members of their club and the local community something which will not happen anytime soon. Kids up until a couple years ago were changing in filthy metal containers, now upgraded to new metal containers. The club needs a clubhouse and a focal point for the club not state of the art facilities that are only going to be used by the elite teams which will have no benefit to anyone in Balbriggan or the club other than the suits.

LeoB

Daragh86 wrote: »

Great project that has been promised to members for in or around ten years now. It should be scrapped, build the club a weel needed clubhouse on the grounds and worry about the fancy high tech stuff down the line when it is an actual possibility. The club should stop promising members of their club and the local community something which will not happen anytime soon. Kids up until a couple years ago were changing in filthy metal containers, now upgraded to new metal containers. The club needs a clubhouse and a focal point for the club not state of the art facilities that are only going to be used by the elite teams which will have no benefit to anyone in Balbriggan or the club other than the suits.

Dont know the politics of Balbriggan Rugby or Balbriggan sports in general but this project should definatley NOT be scrapped, but tweaked. If I am reading your post correctly preferential trearment will be given to elite squads? Like who? Leinster?, Ireland? I would'nt be in favour of this if it were to happen. but if they trained there or had some friendly games there they would bring in serious revenue as they have done in Greystones, Clontarf and Malahide.
Also do any clubs out this way need a state of the art clubhouse? I think what clubs need are good basic structure like decent changing rooms, shower facilities and some storage space for equipment. To many clubs are in serious trouble because they went over the top with their plans and now cant pay back their loans. Drink driving has choked quite a few clubs.

How many pitchs are proposed for the site? Will there be space for another club to use a pitch? Soccer or G.A.A. Or a 2 or 3 lane track around the site for people to walk or jog. With the cricket grounds just beside it would it not be possible to make this area into a sports campus for Balbriggan and N.C.D.

A town the size of Balbriggan should have no problem even in these times to sustain a decent sports facility. Balbriggan rugby might be the landlords but with a good community focus this project can be finished over a period of time.

Daragh86

LeoB wrote: »

If I am reading your post correctly preferential trearment will be given to elite squads? Like who? Leinster?, Ireland?

I think what clubs need are good basic structure like decent changing rooms, shower facilities and some storage space for equipment. To many clubs are in serious trouble because they went over the top with their plans and now cant pay back their loans.

How many pitchs are proposed for the site? Will there be space for another club to use a pitch? Soccer or G.A.A. Or a 2 or 3 lane track around the site for people to walk or jog. With the cricket grounds just beside it would it not be possible to make this area into a sports campus for Balbriggan and N.C.D.

I'm not so sure about preferential treatment to the elite squads but these facilities aren't being build for the club members or the Balbriggan community. The facilities that were being planned about 5 years ago were aimed at the top end of the elite window, as you said Lein, Ire, etc. All the community might get out of this is a swimming pool and small gym which is nothing to turn your nose up at either but I personally have been hearing this for 10 years or so and it is always promises of having these facilities up and running by 2000, 2002, etc. and nothing ever seems to happen. It seems like it is a whole lot of talk and no progress and also now seems that the talk to having it done and built came before talking to the right people.

The rugby club has been suffering for years, had a good spell amongst all the talk of new club houses and facilities but has died off again. The club needs basic facilities of changing rooms, showers, maybe even a bar if possible.

Personally I think that we will never see any of these facilities and I just hope that for the rugby club's sake that they just go ahead and build basic facilities for the club to survive.

shaungil

Are the current grounds not based right beside North County Cricket club? This has fantastic facilities which IMHO should be shared. Building two bars changing rooms etc right next to one and other in sports which have not much overlap in seasons does not make sense and indeed many clubs do have this sharing agreement.
Also the facilities are not in Balbriggan but Balrothery so are not easily amenable to the community. Presume the local politics got in the way as per usual.......

LeoB

Daragh86 wrote: »

I'm not so sure about preferential treatment to the elite squads but these facilities aren't being build for the club members or the Balbriggan community. The facilities that were being planned about 5 years ago were aimed at the top end of the elite window, as you said Lein, Ire, etc. All the community might get out of this is a swimming pool and small gym which is nothing to turn your nose up at either but I personally have been hearing this for 10 years or so and it is always promises of having these facilities up and running by 2000, 2002, etc. and nothing ever seems to happen. It seems like it is a whole lot of talk and no progress and also now seems that the talk to having it done and built came before talking to the right people.

The rugby club has been suffering for years, had a good spell amongst all the talk of new club houses and facilities but has died off again. The club needs basic facilities of changing rooms, showers, maybe even a bar if possible.

Personally I think that we will never see any of these facilities and I just hope that for the rugby club's sake that they just go ahead and build basic facilities for the club to survive.

This post puts a slightly different slant on things.
As I stated I feel this project should go ahead but its up to club members to dictate the pace. Do Balbriggan Rugby have a development plan?

Having seen many clubs go through projects like this and been involved in some I would thread very carefully.

When a club take on a big project like the one proposed you can be fairly sure the emphasis of the club becomes focused on re paying debits and the playing side of things gets neglected. This has happened to many G.A.A clubs that I know of. Recently Na Piarsaig in Cork are a prime example. People become burnt out and quite a few walk away. No body gets involved to spend all their time in committee rooms but inevitably it happens. (I currently wear the t-shirt)

I know if I were in your situation I would be proposing a realastic plan aimed at members,

• Phase 1- 4 dressing rooms, with showers and referee room and small hall.
• Phase 2 flood lights. Running along side this you could have Leinster squads doing some training
• Phase 3 bar which brings its own problems, staffing and rates are just 2.

Why dont you sit down with some members, a few friends and come up with a proposal and put it to the committee. Set yourselves some achievable goals.

Good luck and keep in touch

Daragh86

shaungil wrote: »

Are the current grounds not based right beside North County Cricket club? This has fantastic facilities which IMHO should be shared. Building two bars changing rooms etc right next to one and other in sports which have not much overlap in seasons does not make sense and indeed many clubs do have this sharing agreement.
Also the facilities are not in Balbriggan but Balrothery so are not easily amenable to the community. Presume the local politics got in the way as per usual.......

Yeah, current grounds are there and in fairness a couple of fantastic pitches which are being used for the last 3/4 seasons but without proper changing facilities. For a while there was facilities sharing with North County but not sure what the situation is with that now.

LeoB wrote: »

Do Balbriggan Rugby have a development plan?

Why dont you sit down with some members, a few friends and come up with a proposal and put it to the committee. Set yourselves some achievable goals.

When I was involved they didn't have a development plan for the rugby playing end of things, just the facilities end of things.

I am fortunately long gone from any involvement in BRFC and all the behind the scenes politics which unfortunately hamper every club.

But, I wish them all the best and really would love to see these facilities being built. I again wish it was when I was involved as a youth when they said the facilities would be built because the club has potential to have a great atmosphere and to compete well.

Dracman

What is it about sports clubs and small towns. One of the reasons I never got involved with hurling in Kilkenny (where Im originally from), too much politics. One club doesnt like the other etc. At the end of the day its a service offered to the community and everyone should pull together for the good of it. I can see it all happening here in Balbriggan also...Skerries vs Balbriggan, Balrothery vs Balbriggan, Criket vs Rugby, hurling vs Football (soccer)...etc. Pity really.

Beasty

It's not a matter of one sport versus another. So far as I can see sports in the area do not see themselves in "competition" with other sports.

The issue here is the lack of foresight and in particular active co-operation. It's crazy to me to have 2 (major in terms of NCD) sports pavilions within a stones-throw of each other. Even crazier when one is a summer sport and the other a winter sport. This presents a real opportunity for sports to pool resources to provide themselves and their local communities with better facilities overall

LeoB

Dracman wrote: »

What is it about sports clubs and small towns. One of the reasons I never got involved with hurling in Kilkenny (where Im originally from), too much politics. One club doesnt like the other etc. At the end of the day its a service offered to the community and everyone should pull together for the good of it. I can see it all happening here in Balbriggan also...Skerries vs Balbriggan, Balrothery vs Balbriggan, Criket vs Rugby, hurling vs Football (soccer)...etc. Pity really.

Its like this in big towns also. I would been seen as a totally G.A.A person but I try and bring my kids to as much sport as possible. Politics only gets in the way when its let get in the way. People need to be able speak freely at meeting and if they dont or cant it can turn to sniping and political within a club.

I actually think the rivelary between some clubs is a good thing and if handled correctly brings the best out of everyone.

Beasty wrote: »

It's not a matter of one sport versus another. So far as I can see sports in the area do not see themselves in "competition" with other sports.

The issue here is the lack of foresight and in particular active co-operation. It's crazy to me to have 2 (major in terms of NCD) sports pavilions within a stones-throw of each other. Even crazier when one is a summer sport and the other a winter sport. This presents a real opportunity for sports to pool resources to provide themselves and their local communities with better facilities overall

Agree to a point but turn it slightly. What are clubs learning from each other?

I would not want my club IF at all possible to have a shared facility. Two major pavillions beside one another is a different issue. If both have bars its not a good idea when you consider the location. The majority of club bars that are successful have big housing estates on their doorstep that people can walk to. This would be a major problem in this case.

The way I see the competition between clubs is if my club dont provide what is best we lose kids at a young age. If we provide good coaching and a good standard of discipiline we get the rewards as we are now so I would look at it as a challenge to provide facilites better than our competitors. We dont always admit it but this is what drives quite a few people. This area needs to be carefully managed so kids dont become little machines for egos of adults which can also happen. The payoff is not now but when your current kids go through your club and stay with you and as your membership grows so does your potential to develop a top class facility.

My club are re lauching a 5 year plan, our 3rd in 20 years and hopefully the benefits of this will see us further develop our facilities to include a full size all weather pitch. The benifactors are our juveniles of today, tomorrows seniors......

squonk

I think the whole swimming pool debacle is/was a disgrace. I moved to Skerries 10 years ago and in my first few months in the house I got a brochure through the door about the proposed pool and offering membership plans for it, even though a sod hadn't been broken at that stage.

Next we heard that the process was in train. Things were looking good I thought, we wouldn't get the pool immediately but we'd get one down the line.

After that, we got a statement from a 'helpful' minister who, on the face of it, looks like he was doing favours for his mates, saying that the pool was to be moved to Balbriggan. Not only Balbriggan, but Balrothery. Brilliant!

I don't drive. I can't drive. We are being encouraged to use public transport yet getting from Skerries to balrothery takes so long it's impractical if you've not got a car.

Now it's 2011 and there's no sign of a pool anywhere and with the state of the country right now I'd bet I'll be pension age before I get a swim in that proposed pool.

What I see as being stupid about all of this is that Skerries made a good venue frm the points of view of access. The proposed site was adjacent tot he train station and to an existing bus route. It was mid way between Balbriggan and Rush/Lusk. Even if I lived in either towns I could use the rail or bus link to access the facility.

Frankly, it's a complete joke. the local politicians who stood around while this was happening should be bloody ashamed of themselves. it's pathetic!

Bluetonic

If a swimming pool was commercially viable it would have been built years ago in Skerries.

The fact is it's not and there was never anyone to front up the monies needed to ensure it was built, even with the large council funding. BRFC might be able to get it built. It was only ever a pipe dream in Skerries.

Beasty

The Skerries/Balbriggan swimming pool issue has been covered a few times in other threads. The decision on funding has been taken, and no-one here can overturn that decisison. There is no point in going over this ground again

Thanks

Beasty

LeoB

squonk wrote: »

I think the whole swimming pool debacle is/was a disgrace. I moved to Skerries 10 years ago and in my first few months in the house I got a brochure through the door about the proposed pool and offering membership plans for it, even though a sod hadn't been broken at that stage.

Not only Balbriggan, but Balrothery. Brilliant!

Frankly, it's a complete joke. the local politicians who stood around while this was happening should be bloody ashamed of themselves. it's pathetic!

Thought this thread was about B.R.F.C BUT Why not Balbriggan or Balrothery? Balbriggan and Rush have been neglected long enough
It should have never been built in Skerries the people who took it from its original proposed site were wrong to do so thats what I find PATHETIC and if the is a chance of a decent sports development for Balbriggan go for it!!!

Bluetonic wrote: »

The fact is it's not and there was never anyone to front up the monies needed to ensure it was built, even with the large council funding. BRFC might be able to get it built. It was only ever a pipe dream in Skerries.

There was 2 pledges towards the swimming pool and a free site donated if the pool were to be built in Rush
Pledge 1 was for €1,000,000
Pledge 2 was for €500,000

However I agree on the viability no matter where it would be built. The cost of maintaing the pool would be quite big and this would be a problem in the current climate. Our club loooked at including a pool in a development and the maintainence costs put us off. But there is quite a large population in the general area now and I think it would survive.

Anyway I hope Balbriggan R.F.C can come up with a plan to build their dressing rooms.

Beasty

If anyone wants to start a new thread about sports facilities elsewhere in DCN, then go ahead (assuming it is not going over old ground) - this one is about Balbriggan RFC, not swimming pools in Rush, Skerries or anywhere else in the county - do not take it off-topic again

Thanks

Beasty