The proposed site map for the new Cuchulainn Cycling Park
Plans for a new cycling park and velodrome in Dundalk earned a significant boost this morning after Louth County Council agreed to a land disposal for the facility at Muirhevnamor Park at their monthly meeting at Co Louth Golf Club in Baltray.
Plans for the Cuchulainn Cycling Park first came about in 2010 when the locally-based Cuchulainn Cycling Club were celebrating their 75th anniversary.
Planning permission was secured in February 2013 and that December the now defunct Dundalk Town Council approved a 150-year lease of a 5.3 acre site located off Hoey’s Lane, adjacent to Muirhevnamor Community and Sports Centre.
The facility was to include a 250m Velodrome and BMX track, which was expected at the time to cost in the region of €2.5m, with the first two phases coming in at around €250,000 each.
Last February Cuchulainn’s plans changed slightly when they teamed up with Dundalk IT with a view to building the velodrome inside the former JJB facility at Dundalk Retail Park.
However, this was later shot down by students, who had agreed to co-fund the DkIT Sports Arena, which opened its doors in recent weeks.
That put the Muirhevnamor plan back on the agenda although in order to avail of grants, Cuchulainn needed to own the land which brought it back before the council today.
After a long debate, councillors voted by 18 votes to 10 to dispose of the land, with all bar the 10 Sinn Féin councillors consenting.
There’s still a long way to go for the dream of a velodrome in Dundalk to become a reality, of course, but this is a significant step.
Phase one of the project involves the erection of fencing, all associated site ground works and the construction of a BMX track. The second phase will then see the construction of the outdoor velodrome, with phase three – estimated at €2m – bringing about the erection of the roof on the velodrome.
While being planned by Cuchulainn Cycling Club, the facility would be available for use by clubs across the country with 11 of Ireland’s largest cycling clubs said to be located within 1.5 hours of Dundalk.
It is hoped the track will provide a training resource for elite athletes and will promote the sport of cycling with Cuchulainn planning to run special courses through its Cycling Ireland affiliated coaches.
The track will also play host to competitive events including underage, male and female racing.
