A €15.3m project to develop the Shannonside Peace Arena (SPA) in County Leitrim has officially been launched.

In an area where there is a distinct lack of adequate sporting and recreational facilities, the SPA will create an iconic 'transformative shared space' which will include a state-of-the-art multi sports hub building and a high-performance gym catering for the sporting and recreational needs of clubs and communities throughout Leitrim and the region. 

An all-inclusive sports and recreational campus will ensure that everyone – regardless of ability, age or gender – can play, perform and participate in their chosen sporting and recreational activity to the best of their ability.

Funders and partners gathered at the Carrick-on-Shannon Business Campus to launch the project, which is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

-- Advertisement --

Also at the launch were community and local elected representatives, as well as sporting clubs, governing bodies and local businesses, to mark this important milestone in the development of the Shannonside Recreational Campus.

Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, said: "I commend Leitrim County Council, Shannonside Recreational Campus and the 20 associated partners for the time and effort that went into drafting the application and who will be involved in the execution of the project.

"The Reimaging Communities Investment Area will support the creation of a more cohesive society through an increased provision of shared spaces and services, which will benefit and embed peace and reconciliation.

"I am delighted that my Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, together with the Special EU Programmes Body and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland, will provide support for this outstanding project."

Leitrim County Council as the lead partner, in partnership with the Shannonside Recreation Campus committee (SRC), has been awarded a total of €15,342,366 for the project.

Match-funding has been provided by the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural & Community Development in Ireland.