Launching the development, UCC President, Dr Michael Murphy spoke of the importance of the Mardyke Sports Grounds to UCC and the people of Cork. “I am particularly pleased to launch this development in a year when UCC celebrates 100 years’ of university sport at the Mardyke Sports Grounds. This superb development will provide a facility which will be second to none in Cork, Munster and indeed Ireland and will maintain the Mardyke’s tradition as one of Ireland’s great sporting venues.
The iconic front of the Mardyke Pavilion will host a state-of-the-art sports facility. The ground floor will include eight changing rooms to cater for the major outdoor sports such as rugby, soccer, gaelic games, hockey and athletics. There will also be referees room, physiotherapy/first aid room, disabled toilet/shower facilities and semi-public WC facilities. A new bar/lounge area will be located on the first floor along with a function room to cater for up 120 people; kitchen facilities; a balcony overlooking the running track and synthetic pitch in addition to the existing balcony overlooking the rugby/soccer pitch. An extensive flood protection defence will be incorporated into the development. On completion the facility will be increased to 661sqm.
The new Pavilion will provide a wonderful facility for students, UCC Clubs, visiting teams, university staff and the local community.
The Office of Sport & Recreation in co-operation with the Buildings Office Project team are the project developers with McCullough Melvin Architects designing a very aesthetic building to retain the historic ambience of the site.
Pictured at the launch of the Mardyke Pavilion Development were: Mr Con O'Brien, Vice President for the Student Experience, UCC; Niall McCullough and Valerie Mulvin, McCullough Mulvin Architects; Christine O'Donovan, Director (Acting), Sport & Recreation, UCC and Tim O'Riordan, UCC Project Manager.
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