Dublin City Council to scale back Dalymount Park project
Image: Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council to scale back Dalymount Park project
Words: Ellen Kenny
The home of Bohemians FC Dalymount Park is facing delays in redevelopment from Dublin City Council.
Dublin City Council has declared that the planned redevelopment of Dalymount Park is “now potentially unviable”. They have announced plans to scale back, meaning the new park will not be completed until at least 2026.
Under original plans, the grounds were set to be ready by 2020, in time for the European Championships. Dalymount would have been redeveloped into a 6,000-seat UEFA Category Three stadium. Amenities in the new stadium would have included a library, flexible community space and meeting rooms.
Shelbourne FC would also have left their home grounds at Tolka Park to share Dalymount Park with Bohs.
However, while the original costs were projected at 36 millions euros, recent estimated costs have increased to 52 millions euros. Shelbourne FC have also announced plans to remain in Tolka Park in February 2022.
“The estimated cost of 52m euros for the project is now potentially unviable for any benefit it will return over its life cycle,” the Council announced in a public statement.
The increased costs and Shelbourne’s departure mean the Council must now go back to the drawing board and develop a new plan for the stadium.
Dublin City Council apparently announced these redevelopment plans 52 minutes before Bohemians’ AGM.
Future of Dalymount Park
Dublin City Council have requested that Dalymount Park’s design team evaluate two options for the new development plan. Those two options are for a simple scaled back version of the original plan or to refurbish the Jodi Stand, build a new main stand and two terraces.
The designers will consult with the local community and Bohemians FC when making their decision on new plans.
The new consultation and redevelopment will significantly delay the project. The Council hope to complete the consultation period by the end of 2022. They will seek planning approval by 2023, and construct the actual park by 2026.
In its heyday, Dalymount Park saw up to 40,000 spectators for big games. Teams such as Manchester United and Arsenal played games there in the twentieth century. Players such as Liam Brady and Johnny Giles saw their international debuts in Dalymount.
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