A long established history of organised swimming in West Limerick was celebrated yesterday with the official opening of Askeaton Pool And Leisure Centre by President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.

Developed by Askeaton Pool and Leisure Ltd, a special purpose company consisting of Limerick County Council and Askeaton Swimming Club, the newly developed project also marks a milestone in the delivery of public recreation facilities in County Limerick.

The €5.66m public facility, the only one of its kind between Limerick City and North Kerry, consists of an indoor 25m swimming pool, kiddies pool, sauna and steam room, changing village and gym facility.

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The Askeaton Pool And Leisure Centre project went to tender in 2005, with lead contractor M Fitzgibbon (Builders) Ltd commencing construction in April 2006. Askeaton Pool and Leisure Ltd worked closely with the design team (headed by Holohan Architects, and including Erinaceous Quantity Surveyors, Michael Punch and Partners, Consulting Engineers and Don O'Malley and Partners, Consulting Engineers) in designing the facility.

The centre, which opened to members of the public in August 2007, is being managed and operated by Coral Leisure on behalf of Askeaton Pool and Leisure Ltd.

Funding for the development of the centre was secured from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism Swimming Pool Grant Scheme (€3.809m) and Sports Capitals Grant Scheme (€370,000); from Limerick County Council Development Contribution Scheme and from Askeaton Swimming Club fundraising/sponsorship.

(JM)