Major Funding Announced for New Facilities in Waterpoint

The Waterpoint Leisure facility in Enniscrone has received a grant of €1.4m to fund the next phase of its ambitious development programme. The funding, which is provided by Failte Ireland, will enable the Waterpoint Board to provide many new facilities, including a new childrens water playground, a multi-purpose activity hall, and an adult spa/relaxation suite. The local community is committed to providing €200,000 as their contribution towards the cost of the project, and Sligo County Council has agreed in principle to provide the balance of matching funding required.

Welcoming the announcement of the funding, Billy Lewis, Chief Executive of Moy Valley Resources, noted that they ‘are delighted to be part of this highly successful partnership along with Sligo County Council, local community and other groups. The facility is very much in keeping with our company’s objective of delivering tourist infrastructure in the area.’ 

Board Member Councillor Paul Conmy remarked that ‘this latest investment is very welcome news for Enniscrone, and represents a significant boost for the tourist market in west Sligo.Waterpoint is a very well managed and successful facility, and the new facilities will ensure its continued popularity with locals and visitors alike. I would like to pay tribute to the Chairman of Failte Ireland, Noel McGinley; I served with Noel on the North Western Health Board, and he made a valuable contribution over the course of this project.’

Councillor Joe Queenan also serves on the Board of Waterpoint, and is very optimistic about the future prospects of the facility. ‘Waterpoint has been at the heart of the local community for many years, and this substantial funding will sustain its comprehensive development programme over the coming years.Waterpoint currently attracts in the region of 50,000 visitors each year, and I would expect that the new facilities could see this figure rise to 80,000, which would be great news for West Sligo.’

Planning for the future

Since it opened its doors in 1998, Waterpoint has been a major catalyst in the development of Enniscrone, and has been the focal point of the local tourist industry. The Board of Waterpoint recognise that if the centre is to develop new markets and thrive in an increasingly competitive tourist market, then its facilities will have to be enhanced and upgraded. In this context, news of the funding allocation could not have been more timely.

Community

The success of Waterpoint is attributed to the professional approach of the staff and the high quality of customer service underlying the operation of the centre.

Pivotal to the success of the Waterpoint facility has been the genuine and dynamic spirit of partnership that has characterised the working relationship between the local community and Sligo County Council. It is this active participation that has underpinned the success of this facility, the only all-year round facility of its kind in the country.

Existing and proposed facilities

Waterpoint currently offers a wide range of facilities, including a swimming pool, children’s pool, 65m slide, fully equipped gym, and an adult health suite with a steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi.

While these attractions have proved very popular, it is to the credit of the Waterpoint board that they identified a market niche for additional facilities, and had the vision to prepare and drive a funding programme to deliver them.

The wealth of new indoor amenities will include:

• Adult spa/relaxation suite
  This facility will have obvious appeal for the adult tourist market, and should be a major factor in extending the local tourist season
• Children’s Water Playground
  This amenity will cater for children aged 3 - 12 and will increase the attractiveness of Waterpoint to the family market.
• Multi-purpose Activity Hall
  The new hall will allow the provision of many new services, including the hosting of Summer Camp at the centre. The Activity Hall will link with the new multi-use tennis courts and the adventure play course.

The outdoor amenities in the development programme include:

*All Weather facilities Two all-weather pitches will be provided, which should prove to be very popular throughout the year.

Themed Adventure Play Area

This unique amenity will have special appeal for day-trippers and will have recreational, health and educational benefits.

All involved with the project look forward to the delivery of the new, enhanced facilities, which will represent a major boost to the enhancement of the tourist infrastructure in Enniscrone.