The new Padel100 courts will be officially opened at the Finn Valley Campus on Saturday.
Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Donegal’s TD Charlie McConalogue will be in attendance to perform the opening together with Councillor Patrick McGowan, the Cathaoirleach of the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District.
The public are invited to attend on the day with the official proceedings getting underway from 12 noon.
Padel, the world’s fastest growing sport, is now a part of the large variety of activities on offer at the Finn Valley Campus.
The Finn Valley Centre has partnered with Padel100, Ireland’s largest panel chain, to bring the new craze to a reality in the area.
“The sport aligns perfectly with our community focus here at Finn Valley,” said Patsy McGonagle of the Finn Valley Centre.
“We have consistently led the way over 50 years and are always keen to add new strings to the bow.
“Already at the Finn Valley campus we have a range of sports and padel will add a new dimension again to that range. It will be another activity for people in our community and beyond to engage in.”
The sport of padle debuted at the 2023 European Games and is on track to be included at the 2032 Olympic Games in Brisbane. Globally, it is now played by ~25 million people on ~40,000 courts – and now Finn Valley is set to join in.
Padel combines the finesse of tennis with the enclosed thrill of squash and is played on a smaller court, encased by walls that are very much part of the game’s strategy. Typically a doubles game, it emphasises teamwork and social interaction, making it a hit among enthusiasts looking for both competitive and social play.
McGonagle said: “This is another activity at the Finn Valley Campus for the community. Over the years, we haven’t been backwards in developing and opening facilities for the totality of our community. It is amazing to think what we have done with the site that once held a disused tool factory and the town dump.”
The site of the old tool factory was purchased in 1981 by Finn Valley AC. The local fire brigade helped to clean out the building before the club moved in and the official opening was performed by Fr John O’Donnell from the then Irish Athletic Association.
A significant addition arrived in 1983 with the opening of the new long jump pit by Irish international long jumper Hugo Duggan.The first sod was cut for a new sports centre by the Minister of State at the Department of the Marine, Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher at the end of the 1980s.
In September 1999, the bar was first opened and included a projector screen, which showed all the big sporting events and was the first of its kind in the area and at the end of March 2001, the Minister for Sport, Dr James McDaid, opened a new accommodation block at the Finn Valley Centre.
A new-all-weather astro turf facility was added and officially unveiled by the then Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr in July 2003.
In September 2011, the club officially opened a new track and floodlight soccer pitch to celebrate the 40th anniversary. The tape was cut by Finn Valley AC presidents Patsy McGinley and Peadar McGranaghan while a plaque was unveiled dedicating the track to the name of Patsy McGonagle.
In November 2014, a new extension was added and in 2017, a new nine-a-side astro was officially opened by then Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan.
In August 2013, the Finn Valley Leisure Centre opened its doors and the official opening was performed by Minister of State for the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Michael Ring a few weeks later. The facility included a 25m pool, children’s pool, cryotherapy pool, fitness suite, changing rooms, viewing gallery and an aerobics suite.
A selection of some of the groups and organisations that have used the Finn Valley Campus in recent times include: Donegal Local Development Company, Multiple Sclerosis Society, gymnastics, futsal, guitar lessons, bouncy castle parties, tai-chi classes, Tiny Tunes children’s play groups, bridge classes, Finn Valley ladies soccer, yoga classes, knitting classes, Zumba classes, interior design classes, buggy fitness (for mothers with new-born children), Katriona McNamee Ballet & Contemporary Dance, Donegal Schoolboys League, Donegal senior football team, Finn Valley Rugby Club, Cappry Rovers, Ballybofey United, Markievicz Camogie Club, Finn Harps FC, Donegal YouthReach Mental Health Seminary, Donegal Sports Partnership and seminars for Donegal Social Inclusion Unit.
