Funding boost for pool

Dundalk Leisure Centre is set for a €300k funding boost, under the new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).

Louth TD Fergus O’Dowd confirmed the funding will go towards: ‘ The money awarded to the Dundalk Leisure Facility will go towards the upgrade of the swimming pool wet changing village with a major emphasis on modernising disability access.’

He added; ‘ The overall project cost is €492k and the funding announced will go a significant way to bringing this upgrade one step closer.’

Deputy O’Dowd said: ‘Sport has the capacity to knit communities together and it is important that we continue to invest in sport at a local level.’

The long awaited swimming pool first opened in Dundalk in March 2002, as part of a new state of the art leisure centre.

Over the past almost eighteen years the centre has undergone further transformation.

It has also been recognised with a series of awards

Minister Griffin said: ‘ Our priority remains to get as many people participating in sport as possible. The successful projects announced today include a mix of sports stadia which will be graced by our elite athletes but also swimming pools and other sports facilities which will be used by all ages and abilities.’

He added: ‘Of course, seeing their sporting heroes competing at iconic venues also inspires young people to participate in sport.’

The Minister pointed out that the announcement relates to those projects that applied for funding for construction of facilities. He said that a further announcement will be made in the near future in respect of Stream 1 applications.

‘ These applications were for grants towards the cost of developing projects to the point that an application for delivery phase funding can be submitted in the future.’