A new state-of-the-art leisure facility has opened in Ballinteer, Co Dublin, after receiving almost €5m in government funding.

The Meadowbrook sports and leisure complex includes a 25 metre swimming pool, astro turf pitches, gym, tennis court and basket ball court.

Sports Minister Martin Cullen officially unveiled the new public amenity.

He said his department provided the maximum grant available of €3.8m under the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme.

"A further €940,000 was allocated for the dry sports facilities we see here at the complex through the Sports Capital Programme, which also comes under the remit of my department," he said.

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Last year grant aid totalling €1.3m was provided for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown under the 2008 Sports Capital Programme to fund a range of other sports clubs in this locality.

The new 1,960 square metre facility, which has been designed by Dublin based S&P architects, has a combined heat and power plant, with 75% of electricity needs being generated on site.

The building also surpasses current Irish building regulations in relation to heat retention, pointing to what CEO of dlr Leisure Service, Tom Mowlds, describes as a "highly efficient means of energy management for 2009 and beyond".

Special attention has been given to accessibility, both inside and outside of the building, with car parking close to the main entrance, leading to a low-level reception desk with an audio loop system.

(PR/JM)