Greyhound racing will continue at Shelbourne Park for at least another 30 years, according to Greyhound Racing Ireland.
It comes after the company that owns the majority of the site around the stadium applied to rezone the land for housing.
Pembroke Estates Management (PEM) said more than 750 new homes could be built on the five acres of land it owns on the site – which includes the track itself.
The Irish Times reports that it made the claim in a submission to Dublin City Council (DCC).
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) / Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) owns the remaining 2.5 acres of land, which includes the stadium.
In a statement, RCÉ said it holds a 99-year lease over the land owned by PEM – and has no intention of giving it up.
“RCÉ will continue to host greyhound racing at Shelbourne Park Stadium until at least March 24th 2052, the date on which the lease expires,” it said.
It said the agreement also includes options for a “lease extension for a further 84 years beyond this date”.
“RCÉ is fully committed to the long-term future and development of greyhound racing activity at Shelbourne Park,” it said.
“This flagship stadium in the RCÉ portfolio is to greyhound racing what Croke Park is to gaelic games and it remains a significant social and cultural asset to the people of Dublin and Ireland alike.”
The RCÉ board last year unanimously affirmed its intention to keep greyhound racing at Shelbourne Park.
It said the stadium is now in line for a “state-of-the-art” upgrade with works set to begin early next year.
In its submission to DCC, PEM said the Shelbourne Park “provides no benefit to the public as the lands are used for the racing of greyhounds with no access for members of the public outside of race nights”.
