Over 4000 people gathered in Shannon town centre for the official opening of the Shannon Swimming and Leisure Centre on Saturday.
16 full-time and 6 to 8 permanent part-time positions have been created by the €1.4m re-development which features a 25 metre swimming pool, gymnasium, skateboard park, climbing wall, two sports halls, dance studio, floodlit outdoor tennis courts, café/relaxation area, steam and sauna, treatment rooms, and wet and dry dressing rooms. All the facilities are accessible for persons with a disability.
Rev. Bob Hanna and Parish Priest of Shannon Fr. Tom Ryan blessed the centre before it was officially opened by Minister for Defence Tony Killeen, T.D. at midday on Saturday. The opening ceremony was followed by a free fun day, which was co-sponsored Bu Shannon Town Council who also part-funded the Skateboard park.
Minister for Defence Tony Killeen, T.D., commented: “The official opening event marks the culmination of the latest chapter in the ongoing development of facilities at the centre. I commend all of the members of the community for their vision, commitment and dedication in continuing to improve this excellent facility for the people of Shannon.”
The Clare Deputy added: “Sport is an invaluable tool for developing physical and mental health, for both young and old. It is also vital that the foundations for active participation in sport and physical activity are laid in the early years of childhood and maintained in adulthood.”
Among those in attendance were members of the local community, Mayor of Clare Cllr. Christy Curtin, Mayor of Shannon Cllr. Tony Mulcahy, Members of Shannon Town Council, the Board of Directors Management of Shannon Swimming and Leisure Centre Co. Ltd, and management and staff of the facility
Commenting in the official opening, Centre manager Karl Fogarty said: “The day was a huge success for everyone involved with Shannon Swimming and Leisure Centre. Between four and five thousand people visited the facilities on Saturday and we were delighted to see many faces from outside the Shannon area also attend. We also received a significant number of membership subscriptions over the weekend which bodes well for the future of this new community facility”.
Speaking at the official opening, Mayor of Shannon Councillor Tony Mulcahy said: “The sense of community engendered by a community facility such as this cannot be underestimated. I have no doubt that it will have a positive, social impact on Shannon and surrounding areas. This swimming and leisure centre also provides a positive focal point for the community and will encourage children and adults to adopt a healthy lifestyle, as well as make Shannon a more vibrant place to live in and a more attractive place for visitors to the town.”
“On behalf of Shannon Town Council and its members, I would like to sincerely congratulate everyone associated with delivering this fantastic new community facility. I am sure the benefits that will be gained by local people and visitors to the town from using the facilities will more than compensate for the considerable effort and financial resources involved in bringing the facility into use”, added Mayor Mulcahy.
For more visit www.shannonleisurecentre.ie or call 061-361841.
16 full-time and 6 to 8 permanent part-time positions have been created by the €1.4m re-development which features a 25 metre swimming pool, gymnasium, skateboard park, climbing wall, two sports halls, dance studio, floodlit outdoor tennis courts, café/relaxation area, steam and sauna, treatment rooms, and wet and dry dressing rooms. All the facilities are accessible for persons with a disability.
Rev. Bob Hanna and Parish Priest of Shannon Fr. Tom Ryan blessed the centre before it was officially opened by Minister for Defence Tony Killeen, T.D. at midday on Saturday. The opening ceremony was followed by a free fun day, which was co-sponsored Bu Shannon Town Council who also part-funded the Skateboard park.
Minister for Defence Tony Killeen, T.D., commented: “The official opening event marks the culmination of the latest chapter in the ongoing development of facilities at the centre. I commend all of the members of the community for their vision, commitment and dedication in continuing to improve this excellent facility for the people of Shannon.”
The Clare Deputy added: “Sport is an invaluable tool for developing physical and mental health, for both young and old. It is also vital that the foundations for active participation in sport and physical activity are laid in the early years of childhood and maintained in adulthood.”
Among those in attendance were members of the local community, Mayor of Clare Cllr. Christy Curtin, Mayor of Shannon Cllr. Tony Mulcahy, Members of Shannon Town Council, the Board of Directors Management of Shannon Swimming and Leisure Centre Co. Ltd, and management and staff of the facility
Commenting in the official opening, Centre manager Karl Fogarty said: “The day was a huge success for everyone involved with Shannon Swimming and Leisure Centre. Between four and five thousand people visited the facilities on Saturday and we were delighted to see many faces from outside the Shannon area also attend. We also received a significant number of membership subscriptions over the weekend which bodes well for the future of this new community facility”.
Speaking at the official opening, Mayor of Shannon Councillor Tony Mulcahy said: “The sense of community engendered by a community facility such as this cannot be underestimated. I have no doubt that it will have a positive, social impact on Shannon and surrounding areas. This swimming and leisure centre also provides a positive focal point for the community and will encourage children and adults to adopt a healthy lifestyle, as well as make Shannon a more vibrant place to live in and a more attractive place for visitors to the town.”
“On behalf of Shannon Town Council and its members, I would like to sincerely congratulate everyone associated with delivering this fantastic new community facility. I am sure the benefits that will be gained by local people and visitors to the town from using the facilities will more than compensate for the considerable effort and financial resources involved in bringing the facility into use”, added Mayor Mulcahy.
For more visit www.shannonleisurecentre.ie or call 061-361841.
