Opening of the Dundalk Ice Dome, on Friday, 8 December 2006 at 3.15 p.m.
As a Gateway town, Dundalk occupies a strategic location midway between the two major cities of Dublin and Belfast. I am delighted to be back here today to officially open this spectacular new Ice Dome.
This is a hugely exciting development for Dundalk which is now home to the first indoor Olympic size ice-rink in this country. Many congratulations are due to Finnabair Estates Limited for bringing this major €6m project to fruition.
I am very impressed by the overall scale of development that is taking place at this site which includes the JJB Soccerdome and Fitness Club along with the retail park.
And it is particularly welcome that these developments have taken place in a RAPID area. This is a major vote of confidence in the future potential of the immediate area as well as Dundalk as a whole.
The facilities at the new Ice Dome will add to other recent developments in the town such as the new racetrack, municipal swimming pool and 10-pin bowling alley. With even more development planned, it is fair to say that Dundalk is well on its way to achieving its ambition of becoming the leisure and entertainment capital of Ireland.
The Ice Dome is, of course, a major attraction in its own right and it is one that has been warmly received by the local council and community alike. I know that between 20 and 25 jobs have been created here and these will be of tremendous benefit to the local area.
This 220,000 square foot ice-skating development has been leased by B.K.G. Ice Rinks & Leisure Limited with the backing of the Irish Ice Hockey Association (IIHA).
Of course, the IIHA are rightfully proud that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has decided to host the 2007 World Championships, Division 3 here at the Ice Dome. Due to take place next April, the competition will be organised by the IIHA and involve Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Luxembourg, Armenia and Mongolia. I am sure you are all looking forward to seeing one of the fastest team games in the world being played at international level here in this marvellous new 1400 seater venue.
Even though we have an all-island team, ice hockey is a game that has not had much opportunity to develop in this country so far. I have a feeling that all of that is about to change with the Ice Dome becoming the national centre of excellence for the sport and the rolling-out of the Learn to Play Programme. This programme teaches children the ice hockey basics of skating, stick-handling and shooting. I understand that professional coaches and officials will be on hand to teach the game, organise league play and host international tournaments.
This will provide a great opportunity to the children from this part of the country to have fun, participate in a team sport and keep fit at the same time.
The Schools Programme that is being put in place for the Ice Dome following a recent meeting with School Principals from the region is also a welcome development.
But of course the Ice Dome is a facility that will have something to offer the whole community. As well as ice hockey leagues, there will be recreational skating, learn to skate sessions, figure skating, kiddies parties, corporate events and bumper cars on ice. And I gather that the Ice Dome will be transformed into a winter wonderland complete with Santa and his grotto.
Clearly, making ice for a rink of this size is no easy task and I would like to commend the developers who have installed an Eco Pack here. This will reduce harmful emissions from the Ice Dome’s system by 40%. The heat generated by the system will produce the ice required and also operate the heating.
I am sure that the Ice Dome will be a major success on all fronts. No doubt this facility will reap the benefits of the recently completed M1 from Dublin which has significantly enhanced access to Dundalk. The upgrade of the road to Newry is also due for completion next year.
It is great to see Dundalk coming on so well. We can look forward to the continued economic and social development of this town which is designated as a Gateway under the National Spatial Strategy. The forthcoming National Development Plan 2007 – 2013 will strongly support the delivery of the National Spatial Strategy, particularly the development of the Gateways, so that we can ensure balanced regional development.
The opening of this new facility is a momentous occasion for Dundalk and I would like to thank Sam Curran for his kind invitation here today. Well done to everyone involved in this project and I hope you all have many happy hours of skating at the Ice Dome.
Thank you.
ENDS