Talk of building a state-of-the-art, custom-built, national sports complex in Portlaoise is never far from the headlines in the Laois media.
It was confirmed in March that Laois County Council would call a meeting with Sport Ireland and other interested parties, such as clubs and organisations around Laois, to discuss the feasibility of the project.
This followed a motion from Sinn Féin Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley and Labour Cllr Marie Tuohy regarding the need for such a development.
The issue returned to prominence after series of stories concerning the County Council’s management of St Mary’s Hall – home of Portlaoise Panthers Basketball Club.
Cllrs have spent years probing for more to be done to make progress on the issue, including factors such as site identification, design, potential funding, and projected costs.
In April of 2019, consultancy company, S3 Solutions were commissioned by the Council to undertake a needs analysis report for the development of the complex.
“The increase in population (particularly youth population) has led to an increased demand for sport and recreation facilities with a specific need for greater indoor facility provision,” the report said.
“Laois has seen considerable investment in new educational facilities, in recent years, however none of these new developments have included indoor sporting facilities capable of supporting large club training facilities or events and notably that meet the needs of disability groups.
“Additionally, the cost of using these facilities after-school hours is extremely expensive which reduces the accessibility and inclusivity for the whole population.
“The only existing and stand-alone indoor sports hall facility is over 35 years old St Marys Hall has very limited car parking and has significant access issues which presents significant barriers for the local community.
“The LSP Sports Inclusion Disability Officer reports, however, that there is an ever-increasing problem finding facilities than can accommodate access, changing facilities and provide suitable training spaces for their activities.
“This has been identified as a regional issue with all the main disability sport groups and several national bodies reporting a lack of appropriate facilities to host competitions or regional events.”
The report found there was, and remains, a considerable need for the development of a Regional Sports Centre.
It cited Portlaoise’s central and strategic location on M7/M8 interchange as a critical factor, not just for Laois, but for the Midlands, the South East, and Ireland as a whole.
The project has already received support from Basketball Ireland, Badminton Ireland and all major disability sports organisations, “all of whom have requested that Laois County Council lead the process of seeking funding to construct a Regional Indoor Sports Facility to meet these gaps,” the report said.
Concept sketches were drafted for the potential design and layout of the sports centre, including:
Ground Floor
- 100 parking spaces,
- A main hall big enough for 12 extended courts with retractable seating,
- Multi-purpose studio,
- Changing rooms and toilets,
- Reception and office area.
First Floor
- A second main hall with retractable seating,
- Gym and spin studio,
- Café/restaurant,
- Changing rooms and toilets,
- Office space and help desk.
Four sites were identified, including Togher, Centre Point, the Leisure Centre, and the Southern Circular Road.
Faithful and Gould, an Integrated Project and Programme Management Consultancy firm, were hired by the Council in September of 2019 to prepare a report advising on an application to the Department of Transport Tourism and Sport’s Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund.
The firm estimated the total costs for the project at approximately €20.8 million, with close to €14.5 million of that earmarked for the actual building of the Sports Centre and the rest for preliminary and contingency costs.
Having seen the report, the Council said they felt the final figure could rise to as much as €25 million.
However, that figure comes from 2019 prices; it must be expected that the price in 2024, or more realistically 2025, would far exceed €25 million.
Speaking with LaoisToday, Sinn Fein Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley welcomed the report’s findings, but expressed disappointment that it took five years for Cllrs to receive the information.
“We, the Cllrs, only received this report yesterday (Thursday, May 23), even though it was commissioned in 2019,” she said.
“It’s great to see it’s now published; it’s a substantial report.
“I’m calling once again for all relevant stakeholders – Laois County Council, Sport Ireland and Basketball Ireland – to be brought together.
“For me, at this point, it’s about moving the process forward.”
Addressing the potential rise in costs from the €25 million figure from 2019, Cllr Dwane-Stanley said:
“Costs will have risen over the five years. But my argument there is: our population has grown since that time as well.
“Particularly in Portlaoise, where we’re the fastest growing population in Ireland outside of Dublin.”
As the report suggested, this proposed Sports Centre needs to be a regional facility comparable to some of the national arenas seen in Waterford, Athlone, Killarney and elsewhere.
“If Portlaoise Panthers had the facilities, then they could host regional events. They have absolutely and utterly outgrown St Mary’s Hall,” Cllr Dwane-Stanley said.
“Other places have these facilities, why can’t Laois?
“Sport Ireland are directly funded from the Department (of Transport Tourism and Sport); so if they see Laois County Council moving the process forward, it might motivate Sport Ireland to take it on further.
“If the Council could provide the site, that could be the Council’s contribution; and support Sport Ireland and Basketball Ireland in terms of drawing down the grants to actually make it a reality.
“The Council is only one stakeholder, and now it’s time to bring the other stakeholder to the table.”
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