On Monday 4th November, UCD Estates officially opened a new gym facility at the Smurfit Blackrock Campus
On Monday 4 November, UCD Estates were proud to announce the official opening of a new gym facility at the UCD Smurfit Blackrock Campus. The addition of the new facility in Smurfit expands UCD’s network of student-accessible gyms to five, joining the Performance, Mezzanine, Village and Roebuck gyms. This newest addition underscores UCD’s commitment to fostering a Healthy Campus, dedicated to the health and wellbeing of its student community.
Conveniently located next to the UCD Smurfit Restaurant, the new gym is purpose-built to support the fitness and wellbeing needs of the School’s 1,400 students, including over 250 residential students. This facility provides an accessible fitness solution, removing the need for lengthy commutes to the Belfield campus. The Smurfit Gym directly responds to feedback from a UCD Students’ Union survey led by former UCDSU graduate officer Marc Matouc, highlighting on-site fitness facilities as a top priority for Carysfort students. Current Graduate Officer Kylie McCardel praised the work of Matouc, and vowed to continue his great work whilst campaigning.
In attendance at the opening of The Smurfit Gym was UCDSU President Miranda Bauer, Director of UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School and Associate Dean of UCD Professor Federica Pazzaglia, Director of UCD Student Services & Facilities Dominic O’Keefe, Dean of UCD College of Business, Anthony Brabazon and Graduate School of Business Centre Manager Denis Moran.
According to Dominic O'Keeffe, Director of UCD Student Services & Facilities, “With its accessible and supportive on-site fitness environment, the Smurfit Gym will strengthen community ties and promote a holistic approach to student life at the Smurfit School.”
“This facility not only meets fitness needs but also serves as a vital social hub where students can connect, relax, and recharge.”
The new fitness facility at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School underscores UCD’s commitment to continually enhancing the student experience. By prioritising on-campus fitness and wellbeing resources, UCD ensures students have the comprehensive support they need to thrive both academically and personally.
During the week, the new gym at the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School opens at 07:30 and remains open until 21:30, whilst on weekends the gym is operational from 08:00 to 16:30. It is worth noting that students must vacate the gym thirty minutes before closing in order to facilitate standard cleaning and shutdown services.
Before making your way to the new, eagerly-anticipated gym at Smurfit, students must register online as members of UCD Sport & Fitness. You will be asked to fill out your student details and to watch an informational video, as is standard practise in order to become members of UCD Sport & Fitness. Membership is then provided free of charge. Once registered, students can access the Smurfit Gym using their student cards as early as the next day.
The new state-of-the-art facilities at Smurfit will undoubtedly be in high demand. The new gym will act not only as a fitness hub, but also as a place for like-minded students to meet, fostering a greater sense of community in the Blackrock Campus.
In order to avail of the new Smurfit Gym, head to ucd.ie/sportandfitness/
This article is sponsored by UCD Student Services