Refurbished Dundalk Leisure Centre officially opened

Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne T.D., Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, have welcomed the completion of refurbishment works at the Dundalk Leisure Centre in County Louth, which was officially opened today.

The refurbishment works, which were supported under the Department’s Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, consists of the installation of new disabled changing areas, lockers, family-friendly changing cubicles, non-slip safety tiles and group changing areas. All areas will be accessible with specifically designed lockers for wheelchair users – which was previously lacking in the facility.

Minister Catherine Martin, commented: “The Government recognises that Sport has a tremendous potential to improve the health and wellbeing of all our people.

"In particular it is vitally important that we have facilities like these so that everyone can benefit.

“I’m delighted to see that this upgrade in facilities has a major emphasis on disability access which was previously very limited”. “I know that this facility will be a valued resource which will promote health and fitness for all ages and abilities for many years to come."

Speaking at the official opening in Dundalk, Minister Byrne, said:

“I‘m delighted to attend the official opening of the refurbished Dundalk Leisure Centre facility today and see this Department-backed sport project serving the needs of the local community and wider North-East region.  

"The delivery of this project is a testament to the hard work of the local community, Louth County Council, Department officials, and all stakeholders involved in this project. I also strongly welcome the emphasis these refurbishment works placed on disability access.

"Last week, I was delighted to announce the opening of a new €120m round of the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund for applications.

"This new round of the LSSIF will pave the way for many more projects like this to be completed in the coming years, as the Government and I continue to advance investment in sports facilities across Ireland."