Provost Linda Doyle has told Trinity’s sports clubs that conversations surrounding the construction of a temporary pavilion that could limit use of College Park are not over and the issue remains a “live” one.
In an email to student leaders, affected sports clubs, Dublin University Central Athletic Club (DUCAC) and Trinity Sport, Doyle thanked club captains for their “outspoken” objections to the project, but reiterated the need for a short-term exhibition to be constructed in order to fund the Old Library Redevelopment Project.
The Provost said that “this is what engaging early with stakeholders looks like”, adding that “we do not have all the answers at this point in time”.
It was decided early on, she said, “to talk to students before bringing this to any committees. I committed to being upfront about the difficult decisions that need to be made and I always believe that engaging early with people is the best option when facing difficult choices”.
She said she spoke to Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) President Leah Keogh on October 7th, the incoming and outgoing chairs of DUCAC on October 8th and Graduate Students’ Union (GSU) on October.
“In the next month we will be looking to fully understand what it costs to build and design an interim exhibition at the edge of College Park. This will help determine whether this will generate the income the Old Library Redevelopment Project needs and will be part of a wider feasibility study.”
“The information we get from this study, the feedback we get from those sports clubs affected by any exhibition, the potential solutions we can find, and the wider perspectives from those who love and care for College Park, will all feed into the final decisions we will have to make down the line about how to proceed.”
“It is our intention to continue the conversations with all involved who are happy to engage with us, to look for solutions and to keep this a very live issue.”
She also made herself available to meet with students and individual clubs concerned about the effect of the proposed structure on athletics in Trinity.
At the meeting of College Board today, both the Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) and Graduate Students’ Union (GSU) opposed the mooted structure.
Students have four representatives on the 27-strong College Board – three from TCDSU and one from the GSU. Decisions are typically made by consensus, so four dissents could slow down the approval of the proposal.
College is planning to erect a two-storey pavilion on campus to supplement lost income from the closure of the full Book of Kells exhibit while the Old Library is being renovated.
Trinity’s soccer, cricket and athletics clubs use the grounds for training and matches. The clubs are concerned that the structure will reduce the dimensions of their particular pitches, rendering them unusable for matches as they would not be regulation-sized playing grounds.
The pavilion could be in place for as long as four years. Proposals seen by The University Times show that the structure may be built at the west end of College Park, near the Ussher library.
An email sent to affected clubs said that “in order to make this conservation project possible, it is going to cost in excess of €120m, and some really difficult decisions need to be made”.
“We don’t want to alarm you”, the email, which was signed by Provost Linda Doyle and Chair of DUCAC Chair Matthew Simons said. “The exhibition in terms of proposed size would represent a small portion of College Park. Additional support measures would be introduced for all your clubs and sporting activities, with most being able to proceed without too much interruption.”
“But it is accurate to say that without this interim exhibition, the Old Library project will not be able to proceed as planned, and we do need to discuss this matter with you and receive your input/feedback and hopefully your support.”
In an email statement to this newspaper, Trinity Media Relations Officer Catherine O’Mahony said: “The College is at the beginning stages of the Old Library Redevelopment Project. As part of that project, the Old Library will need to close temporarily from 2023. To replace lost income from the Book of Kells exhibition and help fund the conservation project, we need to create a temporary Interim Exhibition.”
“Estates and Facilities has carried out an extensive survey inside and outside the campus to find a space for this temporary Interim Exhibition during this closure period”, O’Mahony continued. “The location is currently being explored with a wide range of stakeholders and a preferred location, following extensive consultation over the coming weeks, will be presented to Board in early November.”
In a statement to The University Times, Ray O’Malley, the president of Dublin University Association Football Club (DUAFC) said that the current proposal “would prevent the club from playing any home matches in Trinity for four seasons”.
In an email statement to The University Times, Trinity’s Head of Sport and Recreation Michelle Tanner said: “Trinity Sport are working with our clubs and users regarding a consultation process linked to the Old Library exhibition redevelopment. Student leaders from DUCAC and some of our clubs have been engaged in discussions on the project for the past week, including directly with the Provost.”
“Trinity Sport remain committed to supporting all forms of sport and physical activity, and will continue to ensure the provision of appropriate facilities and programmes that cater for all groups and clubs into the future”, Tanner said.
Trinity’s Bursar Eleanor Denny told The University Times in an email: “The university has embarked on an important project to restore and renew the old Library, which is a centre of scholarship that is used by many students and staff.”
“The project will be transformative in protecting this national treasure and will ensure the conservation of the building and collections for generations to come”, Denny said. “The Interim Exhibition has always been part of the Old Library Redevelopment Project plans in order to generate revenue to help cover the cost of the conservation.”
The redevelopment of the Old Library includes urgent structural and environmental upgrades and will draw on 21st-century design and technology to safeguard the building and improve the museum and library experience. The government has committed to investing €25 million in the project.
