Clondalkin Rugby Club

Building for the Future

Clondalkin Rugby Club

Building for the Future

From humble beginnings

From humble beginnings in Moyle Park College and our move to Gordon Park in the mid-1970s, Clondalkin Rugby Club has come a long way and the latest and most significant club development project – Building for the Future – is now well underway in the lands of the former Baldonnel Farm.

With a target date for overall completion for the 2025/2026 season, the clubs exciting development project began in 2022 and is being undertaken over a number of phases outlined below.

Clondalkin Rugby Club

development project

Phase One: Setting out of pitches and pitch locations (middle field). Engaging and appointing of professionals and the obtaining of planning permission.

Phase Two: Develop existing buildings for 4 dressing rooms, referee’s room & alternative use (no. 2 field). Most importantly, these dressing rooms will allow the hosting of male and female games and training at the same time.

The dressing rooms are built to allow local schools to use the facility independently, in conjunction with the Local Sports Partnership and Leinster Rugby.

Phase Three: Number 1 pitch & training pitch preparation for lights – the quality of number one pitch will be of international standard (officially opened in September 2024).

Phase Four: Develop and build new two-storey club house, with 2 additional dressing rooms, physio room, coffee area and club bar (completion subject to funding).

Phase Five: Lighting for new pitch.

Phase Six: Conversion of training pitch to 4G standard.

Clondalkin Rugby Club

2024 Progress Update

In May 2024 the Development Committee set itself a series of targets to be achieved in 2024. These included the following:

1. Complete the work on the two new pitches to make them playable.
2. Upgrade the Social Room to make it more functional
3. Have a gate constructed and Installed on the enhanced gate entrance
4. Bring the referees dressing room up to required standard.
5. Make the general area off the pitches more suitable for Parking , access etc.
6. Re structure the two original pitches to incorporate a training area
7. Have the training area / original smaller pitch adequately floodlit.
8. Have a proper Coffee Shop installed adjacent to the new pitches
9. Planning for Clubhouse development

Clondalkin Rugby Club

2024 Development Tasks

TASK 1: The new main pitch ( No. 1) was very well maintained by our Grounds crew, All credit to them for regular cutting in the manner advised by our agronomist. Pending receipt of Sports Capital Grange to finance floodlighting this pitch initial ground works were undertaken to prepare for the installation of floodlight poles. Now that the grant has been received we have contacted the Company selected for installation of the floodlighting and are awaiting confirmation of delivery date.

Permanent railings have been erected around this No.1 pitch.

Thanks to a Grant from South Dublin County Council ‘Active” we have purchased and installed two team dugouts on the opposite side of the pitch.

The area at the far side of the pitch and the roadway between the two new pitches is designated as “out of bounds’’ for health & safety reasons pending completion of the works of the far side of Pitch 1. Additionally the pitch is not to be used for training, jogging or other use without the express permission of the Executive Committee.

TASK 2: Over the closed season extensive work was undertaken to refurbish the Social Room. A lot of the work was done by volunteers (thank you) and the place is now much cosier. A total expenditure in the region of Euro 80k was spent on this aspect. The majority of this cost related to materials and specialised work as required.

TASK 3: The large gate was designed and installed and after a minor mishap strengthened. It makes the entrance area more presentable. It is planned that after ongoing ducting work is concluded to tarmac part of the entry area in the vicinity of the entrance gate.

TASK 4: Work was completed and the Referees Room is now much more suitable.

TASK 5: A lot of the open area off pitches has been levelled to a reasonable standard and ensures that parking is easier. This includes the temporary parking stand overlooking Pitch 1. At a future date when we are finished with heavy machinery, trucks etc. we can look at upgrading the current surface to a higher standard.

TASK 6: This task is currently ongoing and it’s hoped to have it completed before the end of 2024.

TASK 7: This task is currently ongoing and it’s hoped to have it completed before the end of 2024.

TASK 8: A designated container was acquired and is scheduled to be fitted out over the next few weeks. A patio area has been built between this container and the second container. The second one is reserved for storage of mini’s equipment. Currently we are installing a roof over part of the patio to give cover for inclement weather conditions.

TASK 9: This is now the major task to be undertaken. A lot of discussions have taken place and we have our planning approval granted. Recently we received information from a Quantity Surveyor advising us of the estimated cost of building the clubhouse as designed. Currently this cost is in excess of the funds that we have available. We are therefore looking at different options open to us. These include (a) Obtaining Grants or Loans to fund the shortfall, (b) Partial build using our own funding, (c) Pushing this aspect out to future date hoping that costs will reduce, (d) . Cut back on aspects of the plan and construct a smaller premises. We will continue to work on these options and keep you updated.