Planning Permission Granted for the Student Learning Leisure and Sports Facility (SLLS)
The University has long recognised that the extra curricular activities in sport, clubs and society activities contribute to developing the student experience. This in turn promotes student involvement and develops a sense of belonging that has been shown to have considerable positive impacts on student retention and academic performance.
Planning permission has been granted by Dun Laoighre-Rathdown County Council for the development of a new world class Student Learning Leisure and Sports facility on the Belfield Campus. This new facility will be located between the current Student Centre and Sports Centre buildings.
Within this extended Student Centre it is intended to provide space for additional student support, leisure and a diverse range of cultural facilities. Facilities that are to be provided include a new swimming pool and fitness centre, a dance studio, debating chamber, and a drama theatre, multi media and seminar rooms, a media centre, student health facilities and café space.
In addition to developing UCD’s current leisure facilities, the new building will broaden the scope of non-sport extracurricular participation in campus life. These facilities engender greater participation by an expanding student population. The new building will help contribute to campus life by encouraging students to stay on campus for non academic purposes.
VP for Students, Dr Martin Butler launched the project this summer with the official sod turning. Enabling works commenced with the relocation of the Hockey Pitch facility. The main construction will start in April 2009 with completion expected in early 2011.
