The official opening of the National Surf Centre in Strandhill is getting underway this morning.
Tourism Minister Catherine Martin and Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys are due to cut the ribbon with funding for the project coming from Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Rural and Community Development and Sligo County Council.
Built at a cost of approximately €3m, the brand new facility will provide local surf schools and County Sligo Surf Club with a central base from which to operate.
It will also offer shower and changing facilities for surfers and will provide the community with facilities that are multi-purpose and available throughout the year.
The new centre is a significant development for the tourism industry in Sligo and will be a major new visitor attraction along the Wild Atlantic Way.
It’s also anticipated that it will create new opportunities for domestic and international visitors to experience Sligo’s outdoor tourism offering, and generate economic benefits for the community through tourism.
County Sligo Surf Club is one of four groups that will be located at the National Surf Centre, along with Sligo Surf Experience, Rebelle Surf and Atlantic Surf School, all of whom will provide lessons for locals and visitors from their new base.
The Wetsuit Company will provide retail facilities for surfers, and a large meeting room with additional catering facilities is available for hire on the upper floor of this two storey building, offering stunning views over the seafront.
It is expected that large groups of visitors will use the facilities at the National Surf Centre, and that this number will grow as the awareness of the centre and popularity of surfing in Strandhill continues to rise.
Local Councillor Sinead Maguire says it’s a historic day for the strandhill area:
