Plans are afoot to upgrade the public resources in Ballsbridge’s Herbert Park. First mooted around 15 years ago by Councillors Dermot Lacey and Eamon Ryan, work has already begun on the preparatory stages of renovations, such as drainage of areas where foundations will be laid. The plans are focused around what is now the football pavilion.
Architectural plans detail the extension of the tennis courts, more refuse bins, a new outdoor seating area with external lighting, upgraded changing rooms, improved bicycle parking, and new paths connecting the pavilion to other play areas to the west and north of the site.
The largest addition will be the tea rooms. The work currently underway is whatever can be done that does not require planning permission but it is expected that the bulk of the renovations will begin this summer. Parts of the pavilion will be extended to incorporate an outdoor seating area for the tea rooms.
Before the heavy work begins, there was the establishment and unveiling of a memorial to Joe Doyle, the Fine Gael Senator, TD for Dublin South-East and former Lord Mayor of Dublin, who died in August 2009 (See page 8).
By Rúairí Conneely
