The Finn Valley Leisure Centre.
THE new Finn Valley Leisure Centre in Stranorlar won a prestigious award at The LAMA Community & Council Awards in Dublin last weekend.
The public swimming pool and leisure centre only opened in the Twin Towns last July, after a 35-year wait.
Hosted by Miriam O’Callaghan, there were six Donegal projects on the short list with the Finn Valley Leisure Centre winning in the ‘Best Community Based Initiative,’ after being nominated by Donegal County Council.
The €7 million leisure complex at the Millbrae houses a 25-metre pool at the site of the Finn Valley Athletic Club.
First held in 2006, the LAMA Awards were created to recognise innovative local and national projects in the areas of infrastructure, community development, recreation and social impact initiatives. Councillor Hugh McElvaney, Chairman of the LAMA Association, said:
“There was a very high standard, the judges had a difficult task selecting the winners. It is great to get the opportunity to highlight and acknowledge excellent projects and initiatives at local, county and national level. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners.”
The Finn Valley facility incorporates a 25m swimming pool, children’s pool, ancillary facilities, a cryotherapy pool, a new fitness suite, changing rooms, a viewing gallery and an extensive aerobics which will all be incorporated into the existing centre.
The Finn Valley AC has also developed the existing bar and clubroom to include a restaurant, enhanced kitchen facilities, a boardroom, physiotherapy room and a function room, while construction on a full-size Gaelic football pitch is almost complete.
Seventeen new full and part-time jobs were created at the new centre, bringing to 33 the total number of staff employed there.
Construction on the new leisure facility and swimming pool began in January 2012.
The department of sport approved a grant of €3.8 million to the project and there has also been a significant contribution from Donegal County Council.
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