Velodrome & badminton centre to be built at Abbotstown

There are currently no indoor banked tracks in Ireland

The Government has committed to the development of a national velodrome and badminton centre on the Sport Ireland Campus.

It's over a year since Cycling Ireland chief executive Matt McKerrow aired his hope that the sport will have a purpose-built home at Abbotstown in time for preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

That ambition has been given a major boost with the news that the construction of a national velodrome and badminton centre has been included in the Government's National Development Plan.

Chairman of Sport Ireland Kieran Mulvey said: "This is an eagerly anticipated piece of national infrastructure and one that will have a significant impact on Ireland's international track cycling programme in particular, as well as the development of the track cycling and badminton here in Ireland.

"Sport Ireland is grateful to the Government, in particular Ministers Martin and Chambers, for its ongoing commitment to sport sector."

The proposed facility on the Sport Ireland Campus will have a capacity of 900 spectators and will be capable of hosting both national and European events.