The Twins Towns are riding the waves of success this morning after funding of almost €4 million was signed off on for a new swimming pool.
The new pool will be 25 metres long and consist of five lanes and other leisure facilities.
Finn Valley Athletics Club welcomed the pool and ancillary facilities at the Athletics Centre in Stranorlar is finally to move to construction stage.
Said Patsy McGonagle: “The entire community of the wider area will benefit and it will of course compliment the excellent facilities already existing at that location which include in recent weeks a state of the art 400m tartan ‘Berlin blue ‘ international standard track.
“The development will be completely integrated into the existing building . The project has been in the planning stage for some time with the excellent co-operation of both Donegal County Council staff and local councillors.
“A Board representing both was formed a year ago comprising myself,Ann Marie Mc Geehin, Neil Martin, Bridgeen Doherty ,Sean Carlin and Conor Mc Gonagle from the athletic club Paul KIlcoyne, Bartley Mc Glynn ,Cora Harvey, Martin Harley ,Frank Mc Brearty and Patrick Mc Gowan representing the council ,which has worked diligently with the support of Co Manager Seamus Neely to bring it to this point .It will place the Finn Valley centre in a positive position as not only a complete community recreation facility but as a performance centre which will benefit the area immmensely.
“Finn Valley ac originally bought a disused factory in the eighties and continued to improve and grow it in the intervening years a credit to the volunteers over that period.
“Indeed the club have been active in the community since 1971 celebrating 40 years this September a feature that will be acknowledged at that time as they officially open their new track,pitch and lights a spend of 1.6 million euro.”
The announcement of €3.8 million from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has been welcomed by Senator Brian O’Domhnaill.
“This is fantastic news for the Finn Valley area. The new centre will consist of a 25 metre – 5 lane pool along with other leisure facilities.
“The previous Government committed to funding this project so it was important for the new Government to carry through on that commitment.
“I have pushed the Government on this issue in the Seanad over the last number weeks and have been in constant contact with the OPW and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. I am delighted that this has now resulted in a commitment to provide €3.8 million to complete this complex.
“The total cost of the project is estimated at €8.7 million, with €5 million already made available through Donegal County Council.
“The new complex will be a superb addition to the facilities currently available at the Finn Valley centre, and a recreational resource which can be enjoyed by all age groups,” eh said.
Building work is due to commence in early Autumn with potential for significant job creation both during the construction phase and when the centre itself is up and running.
Tributes were paid to al involved in the project particularly Patsy McGonagle and the staff at the Finn Valley Centre, as well officials at Donegal County Council, the OPW and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
Cllr Patrick McGowan, who is a member of the Board that will manage the facility, has said: “I am absolutely delighted with today’s news, which is the culmination of many years of hard work.
“I want to pay an enormous tribute to Finn Valley Athletic Club. The social and economic benefits for the Finn Valley area are enormous. As a Local Councillor and member of the Board, I am delighted to have been involved in the efforts to ensure that this project becomes a reality.”
ENDS