Featured image: Artistic impression of the new leisure centre in Buncrana – Kennedy FitzGerald Architects
A petition for the new Buncrana Leisure Centre has gained hundreds of signatures within hours.
The change.org petition calls for the immediate funding so that construction on the centre can begin as soon as possible.
The shovel-ready project has full planning permission, but the committee were left devastated last week when their application for Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Funding was turned down.
Hundreds of individuals and representatives of schools and community groups attended a public meeting this week to discuss the funding issue.
Following the meeting, Sinn Féin Cllr Jack Murray, the Mayor of the Inishowen MD, launched an online petition to “allow people to voice their frustration, and demonstrate the real necessity in Inishowen for this public amenity”. Click here to view the petition.
The former Buncrana Leisure Centre has been closed since 2015. A multi-million project to replace the vacant leisure centre at Aileach Road will contain a five-lane 25-metre-long swimming pool a learner pool, flume slide and spectator area. There will also be a first floor fitness suite and fitness studio.
The application for the Buncrana Pool and Leisure Centre sought €11.7 million from the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, with an additional €5 million to come from Donegal County Council.
Fianna Fáil Minister Charlie McConalogue has said he was disappointed that the project application was not successful but will turn his focus to having the swimming pool funded through the Repower Buncrana Project under the Rural Regeneration Fund.
