Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has secured planning permission for the development of the Letterkenny Regional Sports and Activity Hub at ATU Donegal.
The new facility will be located in Knocknamona, approximately 1.8 kilometres from the Port Road campus, adjacent to the IDA business park, and strategically positioned on the N56 for easy access.
The 42-acre, multi-pitch regional sports complex will feature a wide range of facilities, including a pavilion building with a seated spectator stand, changing rooms, and flexible spaces for exercise, community programs, and meetings.
Key features include floodlit artificial and grass GAA pitches that can facilitate rugby and soccer, multiple floodlit 5-A-Side soccer pitches, two natural grass soccer pitches with a cricket crease, a 50m athletic sprint track, an indoor sports dome, and various training areas.
Additionally, the complex will offer walking and running trails, a children’s playground, an outdoor amphitheatre, and extensive landscaping to enhance biodiversity.
Aerial View of Letterkenny Regional Sports Complex
The planning application had been subject to an appeal, as residents of the Hazelwood Drive estate next to the site appealed Donegal County Council’s initial decision to An Bord Pleanala. The appeal was withdrawn in July.
Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU, welcomed the approval; “This project represents a significant investment in both our university and the wider community. The Letterkenny Regional Sports and Activity Hub will provide state-of-the-art facilities that will benefit not only our students but also local sports teams and residents. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible space for all, in collaboration with our partners.”
Henry McGarvey, Vice President of Finance and Corporate Services at ATU, highlighted the importance of the project; “We want to provide high quality facilities to help increase participation in sport, as well as providing vital facilities for our university students and the region in line with our campus masterplan. This facility has been designed with considerable input from local stakeholders and support from Donegal County Council, Donegal LGFA and Cricket Ireland and part-funded by the Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). We look forward to further support from the LSSIF to develop the facility.”
The project has received partial funding for the design stages through the Large-Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media.
An application for additional funding under the second round of LSSIF was submitted in July of this year for the construction of the project, with Donegal County Council as the lead applicant on behalf of the university.
Cricket Ireland and Donegal Ladies Gaelic Football Association are key partners, with local schools, clubs and organisations also supporting the funding application.
