A €22 million sports centre at NUI's Galway campus has been opened to students, staff and the general public.

The 6,500 square metre facility, located near the Quincentennial Bridge, houses a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool with moveable floor, squash and racquetball courts, a three-court basketball hall, multipurpose studios, a gym, and a high-tech climbing wall.

The sports centre also offers a spectator area, poolside sauna and steam room, saunas and ice baths in each gym changing room, latest technology in pool water filtration and sterilisation processes, studios for dance and aerobics, and conference facilities.

Kingfisher Fitness Group will operate the centre.

The investment forms part of the university's €400m 'Campus of the Future' capital development programme.

Funding for the sports facility was raised partly by students, who voted to increase university charges in 2003 to supplement the scheme.

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Students will now benefit from a reduced fee to use the centre.

Student Union President Muireann O'Dwyer said: "This is a real example of co-operation between the student body and university management.

"We have more than 40 active sports clubs on campus and those groups will be able to use this new centre. All students will be able to become members for a reduced fee, as will alumni.

"Sport and leisure activities are good for mind and body, so the Sports Centre will take quality of life on campus to a new level."

Architects Faulkner Browns, in conjunction with Holohan Design, designed the scheme, which was built by contractors Glenman Corporation.

Planning and Projects Officer at the Galway campus, Greg Power, outlined the 'green' merits of the new building.

"The building incorporates significant 'green energy' initiatives, giving it a relatively low carbon footprint.

"Technology used includes a Combined Heat and Power unit, generating electricity for the facility and recycling the heat for re-use in the building," added Mr Power

Meanwhile, the university has received planning permission for a new multi-million euro School of Engineering building.

It is hoped the school, which will cater for around 1,000 undergraduates, will be completed by late 2010.

The building will also incorporate a number of eco-friendly systems into its design.

See: Plans For €61m NUI Galway Campus

(PR/JM)