The €1.4m redevelopment of a swimming and leisure facility in Shannon, County Clare, will result in the creation of 18 new jobs.
The Chairperson and Directors of Shannon Swimming & Leisure Centre Co. Ltd. today announced that work has commenced on the redevelopment of the facility, which will include a 25 metre swimming pool, gymnasium, skateboard park, climbing wall, two sports halls, dance studio, floodlit outdoor tennis courts, café, steam and sauna, treatment rooms, and wet and dry dressing rooms. All the facilities will be accessible for persons with a disability.
Management say 12 full-time and 6 part-time positions will be created when the facility opens on Saturday July 3rd.
According to Centre manager Karl Fogarty: “The closure of the facility in January 2009 left a void for people in Shannon and the wider community in terms of locally accessible leisure facilities. Shannon is County Clare’s second largest town and the new swimming and leisure facility, once completed, will serve a regional population of more than 200,000 people. The creation of 18 jobs will further complement the economic benefits associated with this redeveloped centre for the Shannon area”
Councillor Patricia McCarthy, Secretary of Shannon Swimming & Leisure Centre Co. Ltd. noted that the new facility will serve as a wonderful addition to County Clare’s recreational infrastructure. She continued: “The Shannon Swimming and Leisure Centre will cater for the recreational needs of all members of the local community and also will host summer camps, school tours and gymnastic clubs from the wider Mid West Region. Once opened, the centre will further enhance Shannon town’s status as a great place to live, work and visit”.
“The Leisure Centre works in partnership with Clare County Council and Shannon Town Council, managing both the Tir Na nOg play area and Bring Centre on their behalf”, added Councillor McCarthy.
The estimated cost of the renovation and restoration works, as well as the delivery of new outdoor facilities, will be €1,236,673. The replacement of the Air Handing Unit, Retiling of The Pool and Surround, Fitting out of Kitchen and Lounge Area will cost an additional €135,213.
The project has been financed by a combination of savings, fund raising and corporate donations (€468,000), a Credit Union Loan to be repaid by The Leisure Centre over 10 years (€400,000), Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism Grant (€350,000 - €290,000 yet to be drawn down), Shannon Town Council grant towards the provision of a Skateboard Park (€50,000 – to be drawn down), Social Amenities Fund Grant from the Department of The Environment, Heritage and Local Government (€30,000 – to be drawn down), and a Clare Local Development Company grant towards tiling, air handling unit and kitchen development works (€75,000 – €11,000 yet to be drawn down). Meanwhile, Clare County Council makes an annual grant contribution towards the ongoing costs of the facility (€78,000 for 2009 and 2010).
For more information see www.shannonleisurecentre.ie.
The Chairperson and Directors of Shannon Swimming & Leisure Centre Co. Ltd. today announced that work has commenced on the redevelopment of the facility, which will include a 25 metre swimming pool, gymnasium, skateboard park, climbing wall, two sports halls, dance studio, floodlit outdoor tennis courts, café, steam and sauna, treatment rooms, and wet and dry dressing rooms. All the facilities will be accessible for persons with a disability.
Management say 12 full-time and 6 part-time positions will be created when the facility opens on Saturday July 3rd.
According to Centre manager Karl Fogarty: “The closure of the facility in January 2009 left a void for people in Shannon and the wider community in terms of locally accessible leisure facilities. Shannon is County Clare’s second largest town and the new swimming and leisure facility, once completed, will serve a regional population of more than 200,000 people. The creation of 18 jobs will further complement the economic benefits associated with this redeveloped centre for the Shannon area”
Councillor Patricia McCarthy, Secretary of Shannon Swimming & Leisure Centre Co. Ltd. noted that the new facility will serve as a wonderful addition to County Clare’s recreational infrastructure. She continued: “The Shannon Swimming and Leisure Centre will cater for the recreational needs of all members of the local community and also will host summer camps, school tours and gymnastic clubs from the wider Mid West Region. Once opened, the centre will further enhance Shannon town’s status as a great place to live, work and visit”.
“The Leisure Centre works in partnership with Clare County Council and Shannon Town Council, managing both the Tir Na nOg play area and Bring Centre on their behalf”, added Councillor McCarthy.
The estimated cost of the renovation and restoration works, as well as the delivery of new outdoor facilities, will be €1,236,673. The replacement of the Air Handing Unit, Retiling of The Pool and Surround, Fitting out of Kitchen and Lounge Area will cost an additional €135,213.
The project has been financed by a combination of savings, fund raising and corporate donations (€468,000), a Credit Union Loan to be repaid by The Leisure Centre over 10 years (€400,000), Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism Grant (€350,000 - €290,000 yet to be drawn down), Shannon Town Council grant towards the provision of a Skateboard Park (€50,000 – to be drawn down), Social Amenities Fund Grant from the Department of The Environment, Heritage and Local Government (€30,000 – to be drawn down), and a Clare Local Development Company grant towards tiling, air handling unit and kitchen development works (€75,000 – €11,000 yet to be drawn down). Meanwhile, Clare County Council makes an annual grant contribution towards the ongoing costs of the facility (€78,000 for 2009 and 2010).
For more information see www.shannonleisurecentre.ie.
