While welcoming the decision by South Dublin County Council to retain sports and recreational use of the Coldcut Club in north Clondalkin, David Gardiner, Workers’ Party representative for Palmerstown-Fonthill, has called for the site to be brought into public ownership.

Gardiner said: “Having rejected the proposal to rezone Dublin City Services Sports & Social Club, better known as the Coldcut Club, South Dublin County Council should now acquire the site to secure its future and expand services.”

“The Coldcut Club is an important sporting and recreational facility for the people of west Dublin. It hosts Leinster Senior League football matches as well as training sessions for many local clubs, and can be booked for recreational small-sided games.”

“The rejection of the rezoning proposal is to be welcomed as it protects the current usage at least for now. The reality, however, is that the private developer owner is likely going to try again at some point in future to turn a profit from this community resource.”

“If the council were to acquire the Coldcut Club, not only would this ensure the long-term protection of the current sporting and recreational purpose of the Coldcut Club, but it would also allow for expansion of the services on offer: it could continue to host matches, training sessions, and small-sided games; the derelict GAA pitch beside Harelawn could be brought back into use; a running track and athletics area could also be installed; zoned as Open Space, it could also provide a community centre and allotments.”

“The argument that the housing crisis necessitates doing away with sporting and recreational sites doesn’t wash. By now, nobody should be under the illusion that the private market will provide high-quality housing that is genuinely affordable to working people. The profiteers are simply not concerned with building thriving communities or the facilities and infrastructure necessary to support them.”

“South Dublin County Council should act in the interests of working communities rather than private developers. While rejecting the Coldcut Club rezoning proposal is a good start, it is only one step in securing sporting and recreational facilities for the future.”