NUIG celebrated the opening of its €22 sports centre recently. Former cycling great Sean Kelly performed the duties at the state-of-the-art facility which is available to students, staff, and the general public.
The leisure complex includes a 25m six-lane swimming pool with moveable floor, squash and racquetball courts, a three-court basketball hall, multipurpose studios, a substantial gym, and a high-tech climbing wall.
President of NUI Galway, Dr James Browne said the opening represented a milestone in the history of NUI Galway.
“This state-of-the-art complex will make a significant contribution to the health, well-being, and education of our students and staff, and underlines the central role sport plays in life at NUI Galway.”
Funding for the new facility came partly from the student body at NUI Galway, who voted in 2003 to increase their student levy to support the project. Student membership rates are significantly discounted for this facility. Atlantic Philanthropies made a major capital grant towards the project, arranged through Galway University Foundation.
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.
