- Project allocated €300,000 by Department under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (‘LSSIF’)
- Minister Thomas Byrne joins Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council and officials to officially open refurbished Dundalk Leisure Centre
- Upgrade of swimming pool facilities with emphasis on disability access
Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne T.D., Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, have welcomed the completion of refurbishment works at the Dundalk Leisure Centre in County Louth, which was officially opened today (7th May 2024).
The refurbishment works, which were supported under the Department’s Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, consists of the installation of new disabled changing areas, lockers, family-friendly changing cubicles, non-slip safety tiles and group changing areas. All areas will be accessible with specifically designed lockers for wheelchair users – which was previously lacking in the facility.
Minister Catherine Martin, commented: “The Government recognises that Sport has a tremendous potential to improve the health and wellbeing of all our people. In particular it is vitally important that we have facilities like these so that everyone can benefit”. “I’m delighted to see that this upgrade in facilities has a major emphasis on disability access which was previously very limited”. “I know that this facility will be a valued resource which will promote health and fitness for all ages and abilities for many years to come”.
Speaking at the official opening in Dundalk, Minister Byrne, said:“I‘m delighted to attend the official opening of the refurbished Dundalk Leisure Centre facility today and see this Department-backed sport project serving the needs of the local community and wider North-East region. The delivery of this project is a testament to the hard work of the local community, Louth County Council, Department officials, and all stakeholders involved in this project. I also strongly welcome the emphasis these refurbishment works placed on disability access. Last week, I was delighted to announce the opening of a new €120m round of the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund for applications. This new round of the LSSIF will pave the way for many more projects like this to be completed in the coming years, as the Government and I continue to advance investment in sports facilities across Ireland”.
LSSIF 2018:
The National Sports Policy which was published in 2018 provided for a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the fund is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports projects and facilities where the required Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). €124 million was awarded to 33 different proposals under this first round.
New Round; LSSIF 2024
Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Thomas Byrne T.D., Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, announced funding of up to €120m under the second round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), which opened for applications on the 26th of April 2024.
Assessment of applications, for funding of between €600,000 and €30m, will take into account population size, sustainability, reducing administrative overheads and ensuring that similar access is provided to accommodate access by men and women to LSSIF-funded facilities. Applications for the 2024 round of LSSIF must be submitted by 1st of July 2024 @ 3pm.