Athlone Institute of Technology – Sports Department

Indoor Sporting Arena

Proposed Development • Size of building: 12,000m2 • The main functions of the facility are: – the athletics arena – the multi-sport arena – the outdoor stand to serve the existing track

• There are also comprehensive support facilities for elite athlete training, medical facilities and café, general changing facilities

Proposed Facilities

Present Situation • Lack of quality indoor facilities in Ireland • Extensive community needs

• Lack of running track is a barrier to the development of athletics in the Athlone region for able-bodied and special needs athletes • Boost to AIT hosting of HSE Community Games National Finals

NGB Support Sought & Consultants • International athlete – Eamonn Coghlan • Athletics Ireland – John Foley, CEO

• Football Association of Ireland – Paddy McCaul, President • Irish Institute of Sport – Gary Keegan • Westmeath/Leinster GAA – Tom Farrell • Athlone Town Council

Public Use • • • • • • • • • • •

AC Celtic FC Roscommon AC, St Ronan’s AC Buccaneers RFC Westmeath GAA All-army regional & national athletics finals Connacht schools track & field HSE Community Games Athlone & District Schoolboy League squads Connacht rugby u-20 development squad Athletics Ireland development squads Various county hurling and football teams for friendly inter-county matches

Event Hosting Proven Ability & Facilities to Host & Manage Events •

HSE Community Games National Finals hosts 2009-2012

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Celtic Games, AAI Games hosts

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Excellent car parking, catering, etc.

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Central location of institute to all major transport routes

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Athlone Hospital, Portiuncla Hospital, Tullamore Hospital, abundant sports physiotherapists

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Airports: Knock 45mins, Dublin 1½hrs, Shannon 2hrs

Justification for Facility • First mover advantage – no comparable track or facility in Ireland

• NGBs supporting this ambitious plan • Strong support of local and regional clubs • Complements AIT’s outdoor track and astro-turf pitch • Increases attractiveness of institute for students • Enhances facilities for existing students, staff and community

Olympics 2012 • Prime location for Olympic 2012 team training camps • General hospitals

• Sports physiotherapists • Local and national transport services • Accommodation (abundant Section 50) • Access to airports

Enhancement of Existing Facilities on Campus • • • • • • • • • •

Multi-purpose sports hall Fully equipped fitness suite Aerobics/circuit training area Full-size GAA and soccer pitches IAAF-approved athletics track FIFA 2-star artificial soccer pitch Cross-country track Lecture/meeting rooms Extensive canteen facilities Parking

Management • Staff of the institute sports department to manage, maintain and market the new facilities • Available to community groups, schools, Rapid initiatives

Main Elements of Building • Indoor athletics track and field auditorium: – 200m banked running track – spectator seating for 1,500 persons – elevated athlete warm-up area with an 80m sprint track

• Separate multipurpose indoor sports auditorium: – basketball/futsal, multi-sports – spectator seating for 1,500 persons

• Potential for 3,500 spectators in concert setting

Main Elements of Building • 500-person outdoor spectator stand overlooking the existing 400m outdoor track and field facility, with finish line control room • Ancillary accommodation including: – – – – – –

10 changing room facilities gymnasium high-performance training rooms recovery suite medical centre and support rooms café/restaurant

Building Materials • The materials of the building are primarily a palette of three high quality materials: – Portland concrete panel – green copper panel – thermally broken, solar glare-reducing double glazing

• It is deliberately chosen to avoid metal panelling

Environmental Considerations • The building incorporates all accepted passive and sustainable technology, including rainwater harvesting, high degrees of insulation • The main athletics arena is naturally lit to reduce running cost, with lights used rarely • The auditoriums are naturally ventilated. The preferred ambient temperature of a sports centre – 16 degrees – facilitates lowest possible energy use for a building of this type