DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL have confirmed their purchase of Bohemians’ Dalymount Park for €3.8m.
The deal means Bohs will stay in their iconic Phibsborough ground, but does not include a deal for Shelbourne to ground-share, after the council say they could not arrange a plan to secure the lease on Tolka Park.
The sale of the stadium ensures the club, who are currently fourth in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, can pay off their substantial debts with Zurich Bank.
Dalymount Park will now be redeveloped as a municipal sports centre, and Dublin City councillor Noel Rock has said that the success of Shamrock Rovers’ Tallaght Stadium bodes well for the future of Dalymount Park.
“I would like to commend all of those involved who brought the discussions to this point,” Councillor Rock stated.”We have seen how the model of a municipal sports stadium can be a success with Tallaght Stadium and, should this proposed acquisition pass, it gives us great potential scope for the future. I am satisfied also that DCC have made assurances that the emphasis will remain on soccer.”
Cllr Rock stressed the urgency of the redevelopment, saying there must be a concrete proposal to present to both the government and the FAI by the end of 2015.
“With Luas Cross City stopping nearby and Dalymount’s ideal location, this property is ripe for redevelopment and has a very bright future ahead of it, but we need to capitalise on its potential with urgency.
“I believe it is imperative that the Government and the FAI assist urgently with supplementary funding to allow for redevelopment to begin as soon as possible.
“This is a vital component of the redevelopment of the area and the aim should be to have a redevelopment plan firmly in place for 2016,” the Councillor continued.
