The Killarney Sports & Leisure Centre has received 1.5m euros in funding from the Irish government under its 2004 Sports Capital Programme.

Currently out to tender, the development will include a health club incorporating a 300sq ft gym with a sauna, steamroom, spa and aerobic studios, a 25m five-lane swimming pool, crèche for up to 20 children and a sports hall.

Killarney Town Council is behind the project, which is estimated to cost in the region of 12m euros.

The council expects to receive 5m euros from the government in total and is selling off a piece of land – a car park – to fund the remainder of the project.

Kerry County Council has donated a three-acre site at Deerpark to house the facility.

Work is due to get underway at the beginning of February 2005, once a contractor has been selected, with completion expected towards the end of 2006 or early 2007.

Killarney Town Council is currently in negotiations with Aura Sport and Leisure Management, part of the Holohan Group, to manage the facility.