A total of 12 swimming pools across Donegal will share funding of €125,302.54 which has just been announced.
It is part of an overall package of €3.2M announced for the entire country.
The funding was announced by Sport Ireland and Ireland Active and forms part of the Covid funding to support the sport sector announced by the Government in December 2021.
The Donegal pools to share in the €125,000 allocation are:
Aura Letterkenny Leisure Centre
Ballyshannon Leisure Centre
Central Hotel Leisure Club
Clanree Hotel Leisure Centre
Earagail Health Club
Finn Valley Leisure Centre
Great Northern Hotel
Jacksons Hotel Swimming pool and leisure Centre Mill Park Hotel Leisure Centre
Shandon Hotel & Spa
Waterworld Bundoran
Radisson Blu Letterkenny Health Club
The funding allocation is an acknowledgement of the importance of the sector and the impact swimming has on the nation’s health.
Ireland Active was appointed by Sport Ireland to administer the swimming pool grant scheme, supported by partners Swim Ireland.
Commenting on the announcement, Minister Charlie McConalogue said “Swimming is one of the most popular leisure and sporting activities in Donegal and our swimming pools are important resources in our communities.
“It has been a difficult couple of years for swimming pool operators and this financial support is a recognition of those difficulties. I thank all our swimming pool operators for their continued hard work for our communities and thank Sport Ireland, Ireland Active and Ministers Martin and Chambers for allocating this funding.”
This funding forms part of the €73.6m in Covid funding to support the sport sector announced by Government last December.
The funding allocation is an acknowledgement of the importance of the sector and the impact swimming has on the nation’s health.
Ireland Active was appointed by Sport Ireland to administer the swimming pool grant scheme, supported by partners Swim Ireland.
Speaking about the announcement, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media Catherine Martin TD said: “While it is appreciated that the last two years has been a difficult period for swimming pool operators across the country, the funding announced by Sport Ireland and Ireland Active today will help provide financial stability to this important sector.”
Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, Una May, said: “The Irish Sports Monitor highlighted swimming to be the second most popular sport amongst adults with 300,000 participating each week. Swimming pools provide a vital resource for schools, clubs and communities across the country. Swimming greatly contributes to the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities right across the country”.
Karl Dunne, CEO of Ireland Active added: “The funding being allocated today will provide some much-needed relief for swimming pool operators who have been severely hit by the pandemic and continued raising energy costs. This investment will help swimming pool operators continue to provide essential services which is vital to sustain swimming and maintain high physical activity levels.
“The recognition of Government around the operational and financial difficulties, along with the high energy costs of maintaining swimming pools is very welcome and will provide some much-needed financial assistance to swimming pool operators”.
Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane commented: “It has been fantastic to have Swim Ireland, Ireland Active, Sport Ireland and Government all working together to support pool operators and recognising the important role they play in helping to deliver and provide swimming opportunities in Ireland.
“We would like to thank all parties involved for their support in this welcome boost for swimming pools, the funding will go a long way to supporting the pools rebuild after a difficult two years, in a sector which is vital for the health and safety of our nation.”
