Plans are to be lodged by Bord na gCon with Clare County Council in the coming days for a €20 million greyhound stadium on the outskirts of Limerick City, it emerged yesterday.
The board has given notice that it is due to lodge plans with the council for the 3,000-seat stadium, which is to be located close to the Two Mile Inn Hotel on the northern fringes of Limerick city.
The five-storey stadium and three-storey office building at Meelick will employ 100 people when it is completed.
The plan is to also include betting facilities, two restaurants and four bars with a dance floor and function areas.
The board is to lodge an environmental impact statement with the application as is required for such facilities.
According to Patricia O'Grady of Bord na gCon, the project is to be funded through the sale of existing assets, tote profits and a Government grant.
The move to seek planning for the facility follows a record year in 2005 for the board.
Last year, the board, which has its headquarters in Limerick, enjoyed double-digit growth for the eighth successive year. The industry's key revenue generator, tote betting, was up 11 per cent to €51.3 million.
Last year was a record year for Irish greyhound stadiums. Total attendances at Bord na gCon facilities was up 3 per cent for a total of 1.4 million visits to the tracks.
Ms O'Grady said: "We expect the stadium to be operational by 2008. The anticipated annual turnover in relation to the development is €8 million to €10 million."
The mayor of Limerick, Cllr Joe Leddin (Lab), yesterday welcomed the plans:
"The stadium will attract people who don't know anything about the dogs, but who will enjoy a very relaxed social evening out."
