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AFTER 75 years of setbacks, heartbreak, drama, and funding delays which nearly scuppered the entire project, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen finally officially opened Roscrea's landmark new Leisure Centre on Monday, while on a tour of the town.
Mr Cowen said Roscrea's new facility was the culmination of many, many years of efforts by generations of volunteers in the community. It is wonderful to see such partnership between people to bring a facility of such importance to the community, he told guests and dignitaries in front of the newly completed pool.
An Taoiseach Brian Cowen performs the official opening of Roscrea Swimming Pool on Monday last in the company of Alan Kelly MEP, Denis Ryan (Mayor Of North Tipperary) and Celine Boyer, Manager of the Roscrea Leisure Centre.
Members of R.C.T.L.C fought for many years to help make a “Swimming Pool” a reality on Roscrea. Many of the people that campaigned throughout that time are pictured here at the official opening of Roscrea Leisure Centre on Monday last.
Roscrea Credit Union delegates were delighted to attend the official opening of Roscrea Leisure Centre on Monday last. In 2004 when the project was under serious threat the Credit Union stepped in with a contribution of approx €750,000.00 euro to help breathe new life into what finally resulted in making a swimming pool a reality in Roscrea.
L/R
Brendan Wright, Seamus Mullaney, Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Brian King,
Jim Bolger and Hugh Keane.
Staff Members Of Roscrea Leisure Centre Pictured With An Taoiseach Brian Cowen
Local TD’s, Councillors And Members Of The “Roscrea Swimming Pool Company” Pictured With an Taoiseach Brian Cowen At The Official Opening Of The New Roscrea Leisure Centre Facility
Accompanied by North Tipperary's three TDs, County Councillors, Clergy, Chairman of North Tipperary County Council, and Chairman of the Roscrea Swimming Pool, Cllr Denis Ryan, Mr Cowen paid tribute to the Roscrea Credit Union, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, RCTLC Ltd., and the many other community groups which came forward to raise funding for the Swimming Pool.
An Taoiseach Brian Cowen Is Greeted By Mayor Of North Tipperary Cllr Denis Ryan On His Arrival At Roscrea Leisure Centre
Pictured At the Opening Of Roscrea Leisure Centre Are L/R
Alan Kelly MEP, Sinead Quigley, Cllr Michael Smith, Pauline Loughnane, Sinead Loughnane, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Cllr denis Ryan, Noel Coonan TD & Cllr John Hogan
A large attendance gathered for the official opening
An Taoiseach Brian Cowen salutes the tremendous community contribution that resulted in Roscrea finally getting a state of the art swimming pool and leisure complex.
I would like to thank everybody who is responsible for the construction and design of this building. It's something the people of Roscrea can be proud of, said Mr Cowen.
Cllr Ryan has been involved in campaigning for the pool for years. He said the dreams of many generations of Roscrea people have come to fruition with the opening ceremony. This is a facility worthy of this historic town, he said.
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Over 75 years have passed since it was first mooted that there should be a swimming pool for this inland, landlocked town, said Cllr Ryan. During many years of heartbreak and disappointment, when, for one reason or another, the pool failed to materialise, often at an advanced stage, Clr Ryan said the centre will now provide excellent and much needed facilities for all the people of Roscrea and its environs. This is a great day for the celebration of community involvement. For 15 years, RCTLC has been to the forefront of promoting this facility. Through numerous fundraising activities, they have raised huge sums of money. Needless to say, it would not exist today were it not for their effort.
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Credit Union Supporters Jim Bolger And Eamon Phelan Enjoying The Official Opening Of
The leisure Centre
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Danny Bergin Takes A minute To Reflect On A Very Historic Day For Roscrea
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Cllr Ryan paid tribute to the current management and staff of RCTLC and the swimming pool. He singled out Roscrea Credit Union which secured funding during difficult times. In my opinion, there is no other credit union in the country which has done so much for community and for voluntary organisations. Cllr Ryan also thanked the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, who played a huge role in bringing the project to fruition. On leaving Roscrea after 167 years of dedicated service, they donated their property to the community. The sale of their premises provided a huge portion of the contribution, said Cllr Ryan. They will forever be remembered in the hearts and minds of Roscrea people, added Cllr Ryan.
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Cllr Denis Ryan (Mayor Of North Tipperary) Reflects On How The 75 Year Dream
Became A Reality
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Pictured At The Opening Of Roscrea Leisure Centre Were
L/R
Cllr Denis Ryan, An Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Eileen doherty and Michael Lowry TD
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In conclusion Cllr Ryan thanked local TDs, officials, the Department of Sports, the architects, and many others before An Taoiseach cut the ribbon to open the Roscrea Leisure Centre in stunning April sunshine.
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