BY C.J. MCGINLEY

PENSIONERS in Letterkenny will be charged double to go for a swim from next Monday. It follows the closure of the old Leisure Centre at High Road and the opening to the public of the new ¤23 million Sports Complex at Sallaghgrane.

Up to this Sunday evening pensioners could pay ¤2 for a swim but now they'll have to fork out ¤4 to use the new complex. Other price categories have also increased.

However, defending the price structure the Managing Director of the private management company hired to run the centre said it was 'highly competitive' and unique in the sector. He stressed that all prices had been agreed with the council.

Mr Gar Holohan of the Aura Holohan Leisure Group said anyone who had gone out and viewed the impressive facilities on offer were 'more than happy with the price structure'. He dismissed price comparisons with the existing leisure centre at High Road as 'not comparing like with like' in terms of the facilities on offer.

"It is a bit like the difference between hiring an old Fiesta and a brand new one," he said.

Mr Holohan said they were committed to ensuring that the leisure complex was accessible to everyone, especially families, living in the area.

Facilities include a 25 metre pool, learner pool, a kiddies fun pool, two twister adventure water slides, a large multi-purpose sports hall suitable for badminton, indoor soccer, basketball and volleyball, a large fitness gym, an aerobics studio, a health suite, a full size all weather pitch, a junior soccer pitch and a tartan running track.

The price for an adult swim is ¤6.75 which includes sauna, steam and Jacuzzi. At the old leisure centre which included access to the gymnasium the price was ¤5.50 and ¤7 after 6 pm. However, it will now cost adults ¤9.50 to use the gym and the swim, sauna, Jacuzzi and steam at the new facility - a rise of ¤4.

A family swim which included two adults and four children cost ¤13.50 at the old centre but is now ¤20 for two adults and three children. Annual Single Membership at the new centre costs ¤595 compared to ¤420. A Family Membership is ¤950 - over ¤150 more than at the High Road facility.

However, Mr Holohan said the swim price of ¤6.75 compared with

¤7 in Waterworld in Bundoran and ¤10 in Leisureland, Galway.

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