Leisure Centre Update, Ryan Tubridy and Riverdance
December 13th, 2007A few quick updates regarding the Leisure Centre.
Firstly, Letterkenny Town Council met with Aura Leisure on Monday night to discuss the ongoing operation of the Centre, and some of the issues that have arisen since the Centre opened in July. To date, there have been over 87,000 visits for the Leisure Facilities, and over 6,700 visits for events in the main hall such as the Flight of the Earls Concert with Phil Coulter, the Daniel O’Donnell shows and the Road Safety event. This is in addition to nearly 11,000 guests who attended Riverdance in May. The Centre has been an overwhelming success, although it is not without its issues. The Centre was closed for a week in October when tiles around the pool were found to be defective. Steps were taken to ensure the safety of users, which required the closure of the pool while work was undertaken. We have been assured that all steps were taken as quickly as possible (for example, the centre was closed immediately when the problem was identified) and that the issue with the tiles arises from a manufacturing defect in a specific batch of tiles.
This Saturday will see RTE’s Tubridy Tonight broadcast live from the Centre. I was in the Gym early this morning and snapped this photo (on my phone, so quality isn’t great) of the stage and set being installed:
Apparently, one of the crew members at the Phil Coulter concert in the Summer recommended the Centre to RTE, who then considered it against venues in Galway, Kilkenny and Killarney for their annual Christmas special. Needless to say we’re delighted at this great vote of confidence in the facility, and the exposure it will bring for both the Centre and the Town.
Today’s Donegal Democrat is reporting that Letterkenny Athletic Club have reached an agreement in principle with Aura to see them begin using the Tartan track at the Centre. LAC have been in negotiations with both the Council and Aura for some time now to come to an agreement on the issue. The Tartan track was initially added to the Centre following an approach from the Athletic Club, so it’s great to see them starting to make use of it.
Finally, it has been announced this morning that Riverdance will be returning to Letterkenny. After selling out seven shows in a matter of hours last May, the show be back for five shows from May 22nd of 2008. Tickets will be available from Monday in the Music Centres in Letterkenny. The last run of the show raised over €92,000 to provide a DEXA scanner at Letterkenny General Hospital, which is expected to be commissioned later this month. Thanks are due to Pat Nora Gallagher for all his work on bringing both the first run to the town, and then bringing this return.
I’m very proud of all the work that went into making this centre happen. It wasn’t easy, on a number of fronts, but it all becomes worthwhile when we see the huge numbers using the Centre. I try to get out two or three times a week, and regularly meet schools using the pool and groups using the gym and track facilities. There’s always a great buzz about the Centre, and these major events really add to that feeling.