Planning approval has been granted for a new centre of international sporting excellence at the Stormont Estate in Belfast, designed by Hamilton Architects.
The NI Civil Service Sports Association (NICSSA) complex at Dundonald will be redeveloped to deliver a wide range of sport and leisure services, including training programmes, to members and non-members across Northern Ireland.
Formed in 1950, NICSSA currently serves over 8,500 members with its mission to improve quality of life by encouraging people of all ages and abilities to boost their fitness through participation in sports. Services are delivered through a network of 65 workplace clubs and 14 sports clubs.
“The new complex will deliver a large range of quality sporting facilities across a 20ha site, representing a true centre of sporting excellence for Northern Ireland,” said Partner Mark Haslett. “We look forward to moving ahead with the project, so the whole community can benefit from participation as soon as possible.”
The old Pavilion building is to be replaced with a modern take on the traditional cricket pavilion which will encompass 5,850m2 over 2 storeys. Facilities will include a state-of-the-art indoor sports halls, fitness centre, changing accommodation, and hospitality/meeting spaces.
Currently, the site hosts test cricket games for Cricket Ireland and games for Ulster Hockey, and the approved design for the new pavilion sites it in a central position to offer enhanced spectator seating, hospitality and media facilities.
Further international standard sports facilities are provided across the wider site by way of leading edge external natural and artificial floodlit pitches to accommodate football, rugby, GAA and tennis.
Standalone international changing accommodation supports two additional indoor training centres sized for international football and Rugby training.
The day-to-day operation of the site will be enhanced by improvements to the internal road network via new access/egress arrangements from the existing Stoney Road junction, additional car and cycle parking, and new waste/recycling areas.
