A proud day as new €12m. Mayo sporting amenity is officially opened
THE new €12 million leisure complex at Lough Lannagh in Castlebar has been officially opened by the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring.
When Mr. Ring was Minister with special responsibility for Tourism and Sport in 2015, he approved funding of over €7.6m for the wonderful facility which has since been brought to fruition.
He stated: “I have long been acutely aware of how important swimming facilities are.
“Swimming is recognised as one of the best forms of physical exercise for developing and maintaining high levels of physical fitness and plays a key role in combatting heart disease, stroke, diabetes and osteoporosis.
“If we are to encourage people to participate in healthy sporting activity, then it’s only right and proper that we do the best we can to assist these people in having decent facilities.
“The continuing high level of demand for sports capital grants shows how important facilities are in providing people, both young and the not so young, with more opportunities to participate in sport.
"It also shows how important the Sports Capital Programme is in helping organisations to develop modern fit-for-purpose facilities.
“The government’s new sports policy which was published last year commits to maintaining this strong investment is sports facilities in the years ahead.
“In addition, the policy includes a commitment to establish a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund for larger sports facilities including new swimming pools.
“The new fund closed for applications last week and I know that Mayo County Council has an application submitted in this regard.”
Minister Ring paid tribute to all the planning and construction team for their hard work and dedication to the project.
“I know the very latest technologies were used to deliver this state-of-the-art, eight-lane facility and this has ensured that Mayo County Council’s reliance on external energy providers is minimised.
“With climate change becoming such a focus across government, this is very welcome indeed.
“I thank all of the officials in Mayo County Council and in my former department, Transport, Tourism and Sport, for their efforts to deliver the project.
“I hope that everybody who visits the facility will be safe and have no doubt that they will enjoy their time here.
“Best wishes to Castlebar Pool and Leisure Complex and congratulations to everybody involved.”
The cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Blackie Gavin, said the status of Castlebar as a major sporting hub in the region is unquestioned.
He said he is exceptionally proud of the new facility and it's a credit to everybody associated with it.
Peter Hynes, chief executive, Mayo County Council, said few other local authorities in Ireland would be able to deliver the type of sporting project now in place at Lough Lannagh – but Mayo County Council pulled it off with flying colours.
“It is a day to be proud and I think we can look forward to more days like this in the years ahead,” he added.