New €25m leisure centre opened in Dublin

A new €25m flagship sports and leisure centre was today unveiled in Dublin.

The Ballyfermot Leisure Centre, which includes a pool, gym and sports hall, is the jewel in the crown of Dublin City Council's (DCC) sports programme.

City manager John Tierney said the facility was evidence of the council’s commitment to providing top class recreational facilities for the entire community.

"We're very proud of what we offer," he said.

"Gone are the days of a leisure centre with a basic pool – Dubliners are benefiting from the massive investment we have made in health and well-being and it improves their quality of life."

The council has invested €125m euro in its five centres in Townsend Street, Dublin city centre, Finglas, Ballymun, Irishtown and Ballymun over the last five years.

"No-one in the private sector can match the variety of high-quality amenities that we provide under the one roof and we welcome everyone who wants to use our facilities," he continued.

"You don't have to pay a subscription and you are guaranteed the highest management standards.

"We want to develop people's interest in getting active and our focus is on sport for all."

The Ballyfermot centre will cost around €1.3m to run every year and will employ 20 staff.

It features a 25-metre, six-lane pool with moveable floor, a fully-equipped gym, aerobics studio, steam room and sauna, six floodlit five-a-side pitches, 33-metre sports hall, changing rooms and special-needs facilities.

The campus also houses a youth centre which includes a creche, performance theatre, health care room and chill-out space.