Sports Complex Opens Its Doors

Date Published: 29-Aug-2008

STUDENTS returning to NUI Galway in the coming weeks for the new education year are in for a treat as the university’s new €22 million Sports Centre is now open.

The 6,500sqm complex, which will be operated by Kingfisher Fitness Group, includes a 25 metre 6- lane swimming pool with moveable floor; squash and racquetball courts; a three-court basketball hall; multi-purpose studios; a substantial gym; and a high-tech climbing wall.

Mary O’Riordan, Vice-President for Student Services and Human Resources, NUI Galway, welcomed the opening of the Centre, saying that sport contributes to the health, well-being and education of students here at NUI Galway.

“The new sports complex will serve a huge range of recreational and competitive sporting interests. The timing is also perfect, as early September is the beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year. We look forward to new and returning students benefiting from all that the Sports Centre offers,” she said.

The NUI Galway Sports Centre — which is located just off the Quincentenary Bridge — is part of a €400 million capital development programme, ‘Campus of the Future’, to provide the highest standards of physical infrastructure to support excellence in teaching and research.

Funding for the new facility came partly from the student body at NUI Galway, who voted in 2003 to increase their student levy to support the project. Student membership rates are significantly discounted for this state-of-theart facility, and NUIG Students’ Union President, Muireann O’Dwyer says the new facilities will…