Lifts
Passenger Lifts Lifts to accommodate premium seating and suite patrons, physically disabled patrons, and first-aid stretchers.
Service Lifts Service lifts to accommodate small forklifts, first-aid
stretchers, the press and their equipment, security, concession and novelty
supplies, mechanical and small equipment.
Escalators
Four escalators, to transport Upper Deck spectators from the Lower Concourse
to the Upper Concourse will be provided, to complement the ramps and stairs.
Escalators will be capable of being reversed to allow option of controlling
traffic movement partially or fully up or down.
Stairs and Ramps
Exit stairs and ramps will provide access to and egress from all levels
of the stadium.
Primary exit stairs and ramps shall be provided in each quadrant of the building.
The Suite and Club Levels will require limited access control from stairs and
ramps serving the general spectator areas to minimise general spectator access
to those areas. Control may be maintained by either the building security system
or stadium personnel.
All major stairs/ ramps will be utilised in the event of emergency evacuation.
Entries and Exits
Spectator Access
Spectator access points will be located around the perimeter of the
stadium. A total of 160 turnstiles will be provided in groups to enable all
sections of spectator seating to be filled within one hour at the maximum flow
rate of not more than 600 persons per turnstile per hour set out in the Code
of Practice for Safety at Sports Grounds, 1996 (the "Code of Practice").
All turnstiles will be electronically operated using tickets or smart cards.
Turnstiles will incorporate six digit register counters linked to a central
counting and monitoring system within the Event Control Centre in the stadium.
Spectator Egress
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Exit doors and gates will be located adjacent to turnstiles at various locations
around the stadium building. It is proposed that up to 32 gates each 5.0 metres
wide with a capacity of 500 spectators per minute will be provided to meet the
requirements of the Code of Practice.
All gates will open outwards and some 20 % of turnstiles will be reversible to enable spectators to leave the stadium in safety at any time.
Press Entrance
There will be a separate press entrance. All press members will be checked by security before entering the Stadium.
Premium Seating/ Suite Entrance (2)
Separate Club seating and Suite entry points will be provided. These
entrances shall provide access directly to either the Club/ Suite Level or to
vertical transportation to the Club/ Suite Level.
Box Office
The Box office will accommodate 40 ticket windows. Queue railings for crowd
control will be provided where appropriate. Exterior ticket windows shall be
located convenient to short term parking.
Sanitary Accommodation
Sanitary accommodation will be provided at different levels and locations
throughout the stadium.
To meet the requirements of Code of Practice the provision of sanitary accommodation
for football events where peak demand occurs during a 10 – 15 minute period
at half time will be at the following rates based on a male : female ratio of
70 : 30 and spectator capacity of 80,000 persons:
Male : Urinals : 1 per 70 males
WCs : 1 per 150 males
WHBs : 1 per 100 males
Female : WCs : 1 per 25 females
WHBs : 1 per 50 females
To meet the requirements for Concerts, where peak demand is spread over a much
longer period, sanitary accommodation based on a 50 : 50 male : female ratio
will be provided at the following rates:
Males : Urinals: 1 per 125 males
WCs : 1 per 500 males
WHBs : 1 per 1000 males
Female : WCs : 1 per 100 females
WHBs : 1 per 400 females 2
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Separate sanitary accommodation will also be provided for spectators with disabilities
and for mothers with babies.
First Aid
At least two first aid areas will be provided, one on each public concourse.
Provision will be made for two cots, one EMT, two nurses, toilet, lavatory,
and lockable built-in storage. Access to ambulance parking through non-public
areas will be provided.
Graphics / Video Screens
Provisions will be included for graphics (directional and informational)
for the entire arena. Signage will be provided as follows:
Exterior identification of entrances, including ticket booths, turnstiles,
and special entrances.
Signage within the stadium to indicate concourses, seating sections, aisles,
rows and seat numbers.
Identification of toilet rooms, first aid, and other public facilities.
Concession, merchandise and speciality signage.
Provision will be made for the erection of large matrix screens at four locations
within the stadium, for displaying game information, statistics, player information,
clock, advertising, video replay and other user requirements, linked to the
main control room.
Public Telephones
Space for public telephones will be conveniently distributed along each
public concourse, at the entrance, and at the exterior of the building, approximately
16 telephones per public level with TTD for hearing impaired.
Drinking Fountains
Non-refrigerated drinking fountains will be distributed along each public
concourse. Refrigerated drinking fountains will be provided for the team locker
rooms, press and administration areas.
Visitor Attractions on Non-Event Days
To allow visitors experience all facets of Irish sporting life, provision
has been included in the design of a number of ancillary activities/ including:
Stadium Tours where groups would be conducted on non-event days by guides
around the stadium including seating bowl, playing area, team facilities, event
control centre and corporate lounges. Stadium tours are popular at Wembley,
Stade de France and Old Trafford.
A National Sports Museum to incorporate historical exhibits and interactive
information technology. Similar museums are currently in operation at Croke
Park and Twickenham. A Stadium Superstore where visitors could acquire memorabilia
of the stadium including models, videos, CDs and wearing apparel. Depending
on the arrangements entered into with the various sporting organisations, the
Superstore might also retail clothes and equipment for the various sports played
in the stadium.
Team & Press Facilities
Team Facilities
Team facilities will include lockers, air conditioning, finished walls, and general lighting. All locker facilities will be disabled accessible.
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Team Locker Rooms
Four team locker/ change areas will be provided. Each will include:
. Locker area for 30 people
. Shower / Toilet
. Head Coaches Office/ Locker
. Three Asst. Coaches Lockers
. Coaches Toilet/ Shower
. Training / Physiotherapy
. Non-Active Treatment
. Trainers Office
. Equipment Storage
. Access to warm up areas
Officials Locker Rooms
Two Officials Locker Rooms will be located on the event level and will accommodate up to six officials. Facilities will include:
. Locker Area
. Shower / Toilets
Match Officials Room
. Accommodations for six
. Tactical demonstration board
Medical Facilities
Adjacent to team areas and accessible from the pitch, this facility
will include a quick stitch' area, will have provisions for X-ray equipment
and a dentist's room, as well as for general medical attendance, for use by
teams during matches. A secured office space will also be provided.
Laundry Room
Laundry facilities will be provided.
Green Room / Players' Relatives Waiting Room
A room will be provided that serves as both the green room and the players'
relatives waiting room. The room will be provided with a unisex toilet, 2 televisions,
and a cabinet with refrigerator.
Star Facilities
Four star dressing rooms with toilet, lavatory, and shower areas will
be provided, located in a central area, with the ability to reduce the secure
area.
Press / Broadcast Facilities
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The press/ broadcast facilities will be designed to best international standards and will include:
Press Lounge
A press lounge with catering facilities for up to 200 people will be provided, to include closed circuit televisions in lounge. Press toilet facilities will be located adjacent to the press lounge.
Press Workroom
A press workroom with 30 permanent work stations will be provided. Work
stations will include power, data and communication lines, and counter tops.
Accommodation for an additional 70 temporary work station connections for major
events will also be provided.
Press Storage
Press storage adjacent to the press lounge will be provided.
Television Studio
A 120 sq. m television studio will be provided.
Writing Press
Writing press will be accommodated in the upper deck grandstand. Stations
will be provided for 80 people with expansion capabilities up to 200 people
or more when required.
Television Broadcast Booths
Provisions will be made for up to four television broadcast booths located at the private suite level.
Television Truck Parking
Three television truck parking locations will be designated at the loading dock level. The locations will be provided with power and cable feeds.
Radio Broadcast Booths
Provisions will be made for up to four radio broadcast booths (approximately 120 sq. ft. each) located at the press halo level.
Camera Locations
Provision will be made within the arena seating and the press halo for
camera locations. A minimum of 8 camera locations will be provided. Electrical
and cable receptacles will be provided to each location. Four to eight feet
of swing area will be provided for each camera.
Player Interview Rooms
Interview rooms will be provided adjacent to the locker room area. Interview
rooms will be equipped with electrical service and cable trays as required for
Radio and TV interview of players. Conduit only will be provided for lighting
required for TV camera operation.
Event Production Facilities
Scoreboard / Video Control Room
A room will be provided for the scoreboard/ video control room.
Lighting / Sound
A room will be provided for stadium lighting and sound control.
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Certain audiovisual facilities will be located at pitch level. Such facilities
will include hookups and provisions for scoreboard operator, sound mixing, public
address, and an event production director.
Spotlights
Power connections and platforms will be provided on the catwalk system for up to eight spotlights.
In-House Phone System
Provision will be made to accommodate an in-house communication system.
Catering & Merchandising Concession Stands
Concession stands (shell space) will be distributed along each public concourse.
Space for one point of sale per 250 spectators will be provided. Primary HVAC,
plumbing and electrical service will be provided to each space. A storage/ preparation
room behind or adjacent to each concession stand will be provided.
Novelty Stands
Novelty stands will be provided at appropriate locations throughout the
stadium. One point of sale for each 2,000 spectators will be provided. Central
novelty storage space will be provided. Provision will be made to accommodate
up to eight additional speciality novelty stands throughout the concourses and
entry areas.
Team Store
A team store with access to the exterior and to the main concourse will be provided.
Private Restaurants/ Lounge
Premium Seat Clubs
. Six premium clubs for the private use of the premium patrons will
have a total seating capacity of 4,100 people. Direct access from the Premium
Club to the premium seats will be provided.
. Clubs will be available on non-event days for receptions, product launches,
exhibitions and other functions.
Suite Clubs
. Two suite clubs for the use of suite and party suite patrons will
be provided. Suite Clubs will have a capacity of 500. Clubs will have views
to the pitch and be accessible on non-event times.
. Four kitchens located on the suite level will be provided for food service
to the suites.
Commissaries
Space for commissaries to store dry and cold storage and light food preparation
areas will be provided, located adjacent to the loading dock and freight elevator.
The following items will be provided:
. Loose and fixed equipment such as cookers, warmers, beverage storage, freezers,
coolers, plumbing fixtures, and the hook-up of equipment.
. Final Exhaust system connections as required.
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. Booster water heating equipment.
. Beverage distribution system.
Catering Staff Facilities
Locker rooms for approximately 400 catering staff with half height metal lockers (60% female and 40% male) and showers/ toilets will be provided.
Support / Services Facilities
Employee Facilities
Stewards and Ticket Takers
Half height metal lockers for approximately 600 stewards and ticket takers will be provided. A closed office adjacent to the stewards' locker rooms for the manager will also be provided.
Security
Half height metal lockers for approximately 100 security personnel along with two closed offices adjacent to the security locker rooms will be provided.
One event break room of approximately 500 sq. ft. with pay telephones will
be provided. The carpenter shop will include ten half height metal lockers and
two half height metal lockers for painters. A stock room adjacent to the carpenter's
shop will be provided. Space for a uniform distribution room for stewards, located
adjacent to the employee entrance and the employee locker rooms will be provided.
Employee Toilet
Facilities will be provided. A laundry facility will be provided.
Control Room
A twenty-four hour operated main control room will be located adjacent to
the loading docks. This main control room will control the employee and press
entrance, the loading docks, and the marshalling area. The building management
system and fire control centre will be monitored in the control room.
Event Control Room
One event control room will be provided to accommodate up to six people, with views to stands, CCTV, and be linked to the control room.
Loading Docks
Five covered loading docks with dock levellers will be provided.
Facility Management
Administrative office accommodation will be located adjacent to the Marshalling and Security Entrance and will be sufficient to accommodate the management team.
Facilities for Ground Staff
General storage, garaging and maintenance facilities will be provided, to include maintenance stores, workshop and staff changing facilities.
Utility Requirements
All of the utility requirements for the operation of the stadium are already
in place in the Blanchardstown area. The individual services are described below.
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Water Supply
Water Supply to the Blanchardstown area is provided by Fingal County Council
from their treatment works at Leixlip. The primary use for water within the
stadium will be for the sanitary facilities. Water storage at the rate of 4.5
litres/ person located at a number of areas around the stadium and aggregating
to 360 cubic metres is proposed. Secondary uses for water will be irrigation
of the pitch and a supply to hydrants for fire fighting. Depending on the flow
rate determined for fire-fighting at the detailed design stage, it is expected
that the volume of water required in the stadium for all these uses can be supplied
by a 150 -200mm connection to the public main.
Waste Water
The existing waste water infrastructure in the vicinity of the stadium includes a 1,200mm diameter trunk sewer discharging eastwards along River Road.
Waste water discharge from the stadium will arise primarily from the sanitary
accommodation with peak discharge over a period of 10 -15 minutes at half time
during sporting events. It is expected that the stadium can be served by a 225
mm diameter connection to the public main.
Surface Water
The primary surface water in the vicinity of the stadium is the Tolka River
discharging eastwards to Dublin Bay. Surface waste from the stadium roof, paving,
coach and car park will be collected through a system of pipes and discharged
to the Tolka River. Pipes collecting surface water discharge from parking areas
will be fitted with petrol/ oil interceptors before discharge.
Electricity
The overall electrical demand within the stadium is expected to be 3 -6
MW depending on the activity, the time of day and the time of year. Demand for
electrical power within the stadium will arise from a number of sources including
:
. lighting: internal, external and emergency, flood lighting to pitch;
. safety: CTV, turnstile monitoring, public address, fire alarm;
. catering: public and corporate;
. heating: dressing rooms, corporate and offices;
. information: scoreboard and signage;
. media: television and video screen, information technology.
The overall electrical demand to meet those requirements would be some 3MW.
To meet this demand, the electrical installation will incorporate :
a. 2 No. 1500 kW transformers each located in a sub-station on separate sides of the stadium.
b. stand -by generator (s).
c. UPS (uninterruptable power supply) to facilitate changeover from (a) to (b) in event of power failure.
d. separate generator for stage demand at concerts should electrical demand exceed 3 MW.
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In addition to the local infrastructure in the Blanchardstown area, the ESB
have a major switching centre for electrical power at the junction of the M50
Northern Cross Motorway and N2 Ashbourne Road some 3 km west of the stadium
site.
Gas
Subject to detailed design, it is proposed that an incoming gas supply be brought into the stadium to serve the main boilers, kitchens and primary concessions.
Communications
Communications and information technology are essential elements of a modern
stadium. To cater for media, broadcast and other requirements, a dual system
of land lines and satellite links is proposed for the stadium. 9