€30m Trinity sports centre opens

A new €30 million sports centre officially opened its doors in Trinity College today.

The development, which is located at the corner of Pearse Street and Westland Row, includes a 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool with a floating floor that allows for deep water activities and a hydraulic lift for disabled access.

It also has a 19-metre climbing wall, two sports halls and treatment rooms for physiotherapy and massage.

It is open to students, staff and graduates, and the local community is also being encouraged to make use of the facilities.

The sports centre was funded by a significant donation from Atlantic Philanthropies and an annual student levy for the construction of the building.

The building was officially opened by the Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism, Seamus Brennan, who said sport and recreation had a "hugely important role in university life".

"The value of sport to the nation simply cannot be over-emphasised, in raising our health levels, in helping to give us a sense of ourselves and in boosting our morale. Sedentary lifestyles are widespread in Ireland and, indeed, throughout the world," he said.

"Overall, sport has the potential to enrich the lives of all of our people and no one, regardless of age, background or nationality, should feel that they could not benefit from physical activity or have the opportunities to lead more active lives."