Dublin City University have this week completed a €3m upgrade to the facilities at the national athletics stadium, Morton Stadium in Santry. The redevelopment project included the laying of a new indoor and outdoor track, upgrades to the high performance gym and changing rooms, new drainage and cross-track electric power outlets, new fencing and stand seating, an IT system replacement and the delivery of new track and field equipment.
Speaking ahead of Morton Stadium’s reopening, Professor Daire Keogh, President of DCU said:
“The University is very proud of what has been accomplished with the redevelopment of Morton Stadium. I want to congratulate the project team who have delivered world-class tracks and training facilities. There is no doubt that the new National Stadium will be of major benefit to Irish athletics, at all levels.”
DCU aims to develop the national stadium as a national asset, providing the best user experience possible for athletes, coaches, spectators, academics, sports scientists and media. The University was granted a 40-year lease of the stadium by Fingal County Council in May 2022, and committed to invest on a phased basis in the facilities at Morton to ensure they were fit for purpose.
Subsequent phases of the project will include development of the East Stand to provide office and meeting spaces, as well as some new spectator space. This area will include multi-purpose rooms, including seminar and meeting rooms for coaches and athletes to use for performance analysis. Further plans include extending the indoor training area and upgrading the West Stand. An application has been submitted to World Athletics for the new track to be certified as a Class II World Athletics venue
Hamish Adams, CEO of Athletics Ireland spoke about the redevelopment work so far:
“We are delighted to work in collaboration with DCU, Sport Ireland, Fingal County Council and Clonliffe Harriers to upgrade Morton Stadium. The National Athletics Stadium now provides state-of-the-art training and competition facilities for our members, supporting them on their journey to realise their full athletic potential. Congratulations to DCU who have led this special project and delivered a world-class outcome.”
Michael Kearney, President of Cloniffe Harriers AC, warmly welcomed the completion of the initial phase:
“Morton Stadium has been Clonliffe Harriers’ home since 1955. Over these past, now almost 70 years, the stadium has seen amazing highs and at times severe lows. Today is a truly brilliant day in the life of our club, this stadium and the sport of athletics. I want to thank Dublin City University for their foresight and drive in the redevelopment of the stadium. It is now a stadium for all to be truly proud of. Clonliffe Harriers look forward to a bright future with DCU.”
The outdoor track at Morton Stadium will reopen on 12 June, and the first major event scheduled to take place at the redeveloped stadium will be the Morton Games World Athletics Continental Tour on 14 July. The National Senior Track and field Championships will take place at the stadium on 29 and 30 July.
