Address by Mr. Noel Treacy TD Minister for Science Technology and Commerce On the Occasion of the Formal Opening of the Gymnasium at Kilbride Community Centre, Four Mile House, Roscommon. On Friday 26th October 2001at 5.00pm

I am delighted to be here today to formally open this new Gymnasium, Showers and Steam Room at the Kilbride Community Centre. I know that many years of planning have gone into this project. There is a great sense of achievement for everyone locally now that this project has taken shape. It is a tribute to your dedication and hard work that this Centre is being officially opened here today.

Facilities such as this, provide much more than infrastructure for sports enjoyment. They also provide an essential social service, a friendly place of relaxation and recreation where people can meet and mix in a congenial environment. I am particularly pleased to know that these facilities will be available to the wider community and that many clubs and organisations already use them.

I understand Kilbride, Kilmurray & Co. Roscommon Community Games, the 2 local Schools, 6 Soccer Clubs, 3 GAA Clubs, 2 Badminton Clubs and 2 Basketball Clubs are all able to avail of this facility. This is a commendable variety of sports from which to choose. I would like to compliment you on this, as it is essential, in my view, that our community have access to wide variety of activities, so that none of us are prevented from pursuing our chosen activity thought the lack of facilities.

This Community Centre, which consists of a Sports hall, Changing Rooms, a Social Hall, Play School and Meeting Rooms was opened in June 1997; following very active work in respect of Fundraising by the local Committee. The level of Community involvement in this venture was outstanding. Work on the centre commenced in September 1995 and I understand that local people cleared the site themselves. The huge level of voluntary participation by the local Community helped to keep the cost of this project down to a very reasonable level of approximately £30 per square foot.

The outstanding Community Spirit in the Kilbride and Surrounding Areas is evidenced by the Fundraising efforts. I understand that about a third of the funds for this centre have been raised here locally. This is a tremendous achievement, which is due in no small part to the current and previous chairpersons of the fundraising committee, Fr. Raymond Browne and Mr. Bernie Kearney respectively. I also wish to acknowledge the generous financial assistance provided to this project from a number of sources, namely: the Departments of Tourism, Sport and Recreation, and Social Community and Family Affairs, Roscommon Partnership Board, LEADER, the Arts Council, and Roscommon County Enterprise Board. Your initiative and the spirit of self-help and commitment to Voluntary Activity, which you have displayed is part of a proud tradition in here Ireland. I am delighted that our Government and its agencies have been able to provide tangible encouragement and support for this project. I hope that we have been able to help motivate and inspire you to realise your own potential and to use your capabilities to the full through this project.

The opening of this Community Centre and Gymnasium is an important development for Rural Renewal in this area. Rural De-Population has become a sad fact of Modern Life. Despite the fall in the Rural Population, we must endeavour to maintain a high level of Service Delivery to our Regions. It is vital that Public Facilities such as Schools, Garda Stations and Post Offices all remain a central part of our Communities. We need these basic facilities in order to live our lives in rural areas without becoming isolated or ignored.

I would now like to say a few words on the importance of exercise in our daily lives. On May the 23^rd last, my Government colleague, Mr. Micheál Martin TD Minister for Health and Children launched a new publicity campaign designed to persuade us to get up out of our seats and be more active. The campaign slogan is "GET A LIFE, GET ACTIVE". As two thirds of us are now at increased risk from heart disease and other serious illnesses, this Government believes that most of us do not take enough exercise to protect or improve our health. The experts tell us that physical activity is just as important for our good health as stopping smoking would be.

It is estimated that our Health would benefit from regular exercise and would thereby reduce heart disease by one third and strokes by one quarter. It is estimated that one in four people do not take part in any activity and that six out of ten people do not take enough exercise to benefit their health.

These figures are underlined by the recent North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey which showed that on average, people of all ages spend nearly 19 hours a week watching television compared with seven hours of recreational activity and just over one hour of vigorous activity.

Levels of activity decline with increased weight and age. Therefore it is all the more important that we recognise this phenomenon and take the appropriate action. My own personal experience is that I lose weight while canvassing during elections.

The other message from the campaign is that exercise need not involve long hours at the gym.

However, when a community has at its disposal a facility such as this, I believe that many people will want to come to the gym. If you do not have the time, other routine activities can be counted as physical activity such as brisk walking, washing the car, gardening, or even dancing. The key for all of us is to explore ways in which we can turn some of our everyday tasks, including those that we enjoy, into regular activity. Just 30 minutes a day on most days of the week could really improve our health.

Use of this fine gym is not limited, either to any single age group. As I said earlier, there are many activities, which people of any age can engage in. Finally, I wish to thank sincerely all of the community for their support for this Centre. I congratulate all of you for your efforts and participation in this wonderful project and I wish you all, every success and enjoyment in the years ahead.