Two new swimming pool facilities have opened in Co Kildare.

Sports Minister Martin Cullen allocated €3.8m towards the schemes, which are located at the K Leisure buildings in Athy and Naas.

The new K Leisure Athy facility includes a 25-metre swimming pool with movable floor, village/family changing area, spectator area, sauna/steam rooms, aerobics studio, gym and coffee dock.

The K-Leisure Naas facility includes a 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool, learner pool, family changing area, spectator area, sauna/steam rooms, aerobics studio, gym and coffee dock.

Both facilities are managed by Kildare Sports and Leisure Facilities Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of the county council.

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Minister Cullen said the new leisure complexes will greatly enhance the recreational facilities of the people of Athy, Naas, and their surrounding areas.

"I am delighted that my department was able to grant aid these projects by providing the maximum grant available of €3.8m under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme to both leisure complexes."

In relation to the department’s Sports Capital Programme, Kildare county was allocated grants totaling €1.33m under the 2008 Programme.

Between 1998 and 2008 the county has received grants totaling €28.5m under the Sports Capital Programme.

"I am pleased to say that under the current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, 45 projects have been completed and two other grant-aided pools are under construction throughout the country," said the Minister.

Another 10 projects are at various stages of development. Five pools have already opened to the public in 2009, including Dundrum, Co Dublin, in Athy, Naas, in Claremorris and Roscrea.

(PR/BMcC)