.
Hanna Cleary showing John Healy an exercise machine at the Kerry Sports Academy Open Day on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
OVER 2,000 people visited the Kerry Sports Academy on the grounds of the IT Tralee North Campus on Saturday and they could not help but be impressed by the range of facilities at the building.
The Academy is open to the public for membership and ‘pay as you go’, so the reason for the open day was to showcase the 8,400m2 universally accessible sports facility which includes a state of the art gym, 12-metre hydrotherapy pool, aerobics and dance studio and three full size sports halls.
The sports hall was divided into three areas where Kerry GAA stars David Clifford and Dara Moynihan were joined by former star Aidan O’Mahony for children’s coaching sessions. There was also a bouncy castle and children entertainment set up, while Munster Rugby also hosted a training session.
Continued below…
.
People were able to watch kettlebell gym sessions, while many sampled the amazing facilities at the gym which has more than 30 pieces of Matrix state of the art cardio equipment including upright/recumbent bikes, spin bikes, treadmills, cross trainers, arc trainers, ski ergs, a wide variety of accessible cardio and strength equipment, lifting platforms, Watt bikes, free weights, kettle bells, and slam balls.
There were tours of the facility laid on where visitors heard of the 20 fitness classes available each a week which range from beginner to advanced levels classes in the Dance/Aerobics studios and exercise laboratory including Zumba, Spinning, Boxercise, Kettlebells, Circuit, HIIT, Fit blast, Sweat & Pump, Spin & Sculpt and many more. All classes are fully inclusive and accessible for people of all abilities.
The 12 metres x 6 metres hydrotherapy pool is also now open for public swim slots, children’s swim lessons, a variety of aqua exercise classes and personal hydrotherapy programmes. The temperature in the pool is kept at a constant temperature of 32 – 34 degrees providing benefits in terms of health, fitness, rehabilitation, mobility and pain relief.
As well as the sports facilities, there are rooms/lecture halls or spaces for showcasing exhibitions or other events. Also Dúchas has their headquarters at the building with a very impressive hall.
With such an extensive range of facilities, it is also hoped to attract sporting clubs from around the country to book the facility, which would also provide a tourism boost to the local area. For more about the Kerry Sports Academy, check out their website here. Scroll down for photos…
Ciara McCarthy, Deirdre Bambury and Aileen Buckley of Kingdom Wheelblasters at the Kerry Sports Academy Open Day on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
.
David Clifford, Aidan O’Mahony and Dara Moynihan at the Kerry Sports Academy Open Day on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Stephan and Conor O’Sullivan at the Kerry Sports Academy Open Day on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
.
Danny, Taylor Kate, Danny Jnr and Mia Leane at the Kerry Sports Academy Open Day on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
David Clifford giving tips at the Kerry Sports Academy Open Day on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
.
Dara Moynihan fielding shots at the Kerry Sports Academy Open Day on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean
The gym at the Kerry Sports Academy. Photo by Dermot Crean
.
The hydrotherapy pool at the Kerry Sports Academy. Photo by Dermot Crean
One of the lecture rooms at the Kerry Sports Academy. Photo by Dermot Crean
.
One of the rooms at the Kerry Sports Academy. Photo by Dermot Crean
Gym equipment overlooking the astroturf pitch at the Kerry Sports Academy. Photo by Dermot Crean
.
Part of the sports hall at the Kerry Sports Academy. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Dúchas room at the Kerry Sports Academy. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Dúchas room at the Kerry Sports Academy. Photo by Dermot Crean
