By Adam Higgins
A brand new training facility is to be built for Leinster Rugby on the grounds of University College Dublin (UCD).
Work is already underway for a number of top of the line administrative offices and a new training pitch, built specifically for the use of Leinster Rugby.
UCD’s old Phillips Building is the site being renovated for the facilities, which will boast first class administrative offices, team services and a state of the art gym.
Leinster Rugby CEO, Michael Dawson and President of UCD, Dr Hugh Brady, agreed the deal. The new facility is expected to officially open in January 2012.
Peter Breen of Leinster Rugby told the University Observer that the agreement has been “on course, on budget and it’s on time, so from that point of view it’s been first class.”
Brian O’Driscoll and co. already use UCD’s all-weather rugby pitch, but this move is being made in order to have all Leinster’s training facilities in the one place. According to Peter Breen “It will be based in the one centre so that will help Leinster organisationally and will provide them the best off-field preparation in terms of science.”
Breen declined to comment on the cost of the new facilities but said that it is being funded by private investors and that these advancements are part of a “natural progression” in rugby.
In sports investment in other parts of the country, Waterford Institute of Technology’s new multipurpose sports arena at the Carriganore campus is set to cost around €10.5 million.
The project is being funded by WIT’s Campus Services and will create an estimated 200 jobs in construction.
The new arena will include four playing pitches, a 2,000 seat conference centre that will double as a 1,000 seat examination centre, along with ancillary sport and catering services.
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