LIMERICK City’s northside could soon get a new multi-purpose arena, as part of plans submitted to Limerick City and County Council.
The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) has applied to the local authority for permission to build a 7,014 square meter inflatable dome at its Coonagh Campus, as a mixed-use arena.
The new building would have a variety of uses and would feature a 200-metre running track, changing facilities, and 476 permanent spectator viewing seats, making it suitable for use as an arena for sports such as cycling, gymnastics, badminton, volleyball, tennis, and football, as well as hosting music recitals, concerts, and election counts, the planning file outlines.
The dome’s uses are envisioned to also include events and large-scale meals.
The dome would be constructed from a twin-skin pressurised system, making it cost effective, environmentally sustainable and energy efficient, and relatively quick and simple to build.
“As Ireland continues to embrace modern architectural solutions and sustainable building practices, inflatable air-supported structures are becoming an increasingly popular choice for sporting centres seeking efficiency, functionality, and adaptability,” architects for TUS said.
As part of the works to install the new dome, TUS will also undertake other works, including landscaping, drainage, and service connections, as well as upgrading existing roads and providing 13 car parking spaces, with 48 covered bicycle spaces.
Fine Gael councillor for City North Olivia O’Sullivan welcomed the planning application, highlighting the lack of athletics facilities for children on the north side of Limerick City.
“I have previously requested a running track from TUS for consideration in developing the new 38-acre Coonagh Campus, highlighting the fact there are no athletics clubs for children on the northside.
“This development gives me hope we can rectify that,” Cllr O’Sullivan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
TUS were to apply for funding from the Government’s Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund to enable the development of the new sports arena, which had a deadline of 3pm this Monday (July 1).
The TUS Coonagh Campus was officially opened in April by Minister for Further and Higher Education Patrick O’Donovan, with the university’s engineering school being based in the state-of-the-art new campus.
