the proposed redevelopment of Lansdowne Road set into a photograph
of the surrounding Ballsbridge area.Copyright:Arup Consulting Engineers
The design for the proposed redevelopment of Lansdowne Road was unveiled today by the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Rugby Football Union.
The sporting bodies say the design will deliver easy access, improved pitch views, refined shelter and better in-house facilities to patrons of the planned 50,000 all-seater stadium, due for completion by 2008.
The structure will comprise three tier structures for the East and West stands and single tier developments at the Lansdowne Road and Havlock square ends. A transparent roof will provide shelter from the elements.
Inter-city and DART train services that run alongside Lansdowne Road will not be disrupted during the redevelopment phase, the FAI and IRFU said. Walkways under the railway line are incorporated in the design to improve access to and from the ground.
The Government is to make a decision before the end of the month on whether to build a national stadium but a redeveloped of the Dublin 4 venue appears a favoured option.
Plans for a 65,000-seater stadium at Abbotstown remain in the mix although these plans were dealt a blow when the IRFU said last year it could not contribute to the development while keeping Lansdowne Road open.
A joint IRFU and FAI delegation met with the Minister for Sport, John O'Donoghue, last month and presented plans to him detailing a €250 million, 50,000-seater stadium at Lansdowne Road.
The IRFU and FAI will contribute one third of that total towards the project with the Government footing the remainder. However, the two associations stressed that much of the expenditure would return to Government coffers in VAT, PRSI and income tax.