MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

MOTION NO. 14

MOTION: Councillor L. O’Toole

“That this Area Committee request the Chief Executive commits to immediately addressing the issue that has is now before us (see email below) and provide a report on costings for the project to date and the additional costs incurred since the withdrawal of the contract. Furthermore that options be provided to this committee and club members to ensure it’s swiftly remedied especially given the time of year where the parks footfall and activities are increased .

“Thanks for the call yesterday on the Track and the update.

To document my concerns, the club now needs immediate action so that we can secure back the use of the Track.

Our juveniles are currently in overcrowded rental spaces due to the absence of the Track. We have to split age groups up and reduce training times due to managing volumes. This was something we could support for the short period whilst the track project was in full flight but its not a risk we can continue to carry.

In terms of the track and your confirmation that all ground/drainage works were complete, can we move immediately to apply the tarmac under surface. This will make the track safe again and the club can use it, whilst you re tender for the remainder of works. The tarmac has to be done anyway, so there will be no anticipated additional costs as a result. Re-gritting the track will put cost back to us when it has to be stripped again when a new contractor steps in.

I can’t stress enough the important of getting this tarmac surface done asap. We really find ourselves in an emergency situation here.
The sooner the Track can be brought back to the club, then I assume the risk on SDCC diminishes and the 24/7 security can go. Ideally if the grant for the fence came through, we should move with that too…and for a while have a fully secured tarmac Track.

The club is under increased financial pressure already to hire premises for longer periods than we thought. Our senior members are out in parks, on the road and not gravitating towards the club.

In essence the Track is not just about space, but its about safety and keeping all our younger members together in one location.
We are also running the risk of losing members, people and parents are no longer centering around the Track. Its looks derelict and forgotten about. For all concerned, we need to pull the Track back into the clubs use.

I’d appreciate your update on this next week as soon as you hear something. Thanks always for your support.”

REPORT:

South Dublin County Council applied for funding to DTTAS under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme for an athletics track at Esker Park, Newcastle Road, Lucan in association with Lucan Harriers Club. The main construction works for the athletics track commenced on site on the 19th of February 2018. This work did not include a fence nor was budget provided for same. A second separate application for a Sports Capital Grant in 2017 for additional works on the same site, which included fencing, was unsuccessful. The commitment associated with the 2015 Sports Capital Grant for design consultants and 1st tender stage to date are: €28,266.25 ex VAT. It is not possible to provide a figure at this time for the final costs associated with the construction stage; due to Crawfords (the construction contractor) entering into administration. The Law Department are currently working on the council’s behalf in this regard. The second tender being also imminent it would not be advantageous to the council to make construction stage estimates public at this time.

In relation to the current Sports Capital Grant works under the 2015 programme; on the 18th of April 2018 an administrator was appointed to Crawford Contracts Group Ltd, the main contractor for the works. On failure of the main contractor to attend on site South Dublin County Council acted to secure the site and prevent unauthorised access. South Dublin County Council have since terminated the contract with Crawfords’ Contract Group (in administration) in line with the provisions of the works contract.

The Council considered the option of having an interim tender process for a tarmac base however this was considered counterproductive for a number of reasons. The area remains a construction site and is not open to public access or use.

It is intended to re-tender for the completion of the track; these works will be re-tendered in line with public procurement requirements. The appointed consultants are currently preparing detailed drawings, specifications and Bill of Quantities with a view to re-tendering to complete the works by end of June. The construction stage programme will be subject to a successful tender outcome and agreement of a programme with the successful tenderer. This programme information is not available as yet. The Council remain in contact with Lucan Harriers during this process.