Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan T.D. recently launched the newly upgraded and extended Physical Education and Sport Sciences Building (PESS) at the University of Limerick.
The PESS Building at UL was the original building of the Thomond College of Education from where Minister Deenhian was part of one of the College’s first graduating classes.

The renovations to the building were designed to optimise use of natural day light in labs, offices, sports hall and circulation spaces and have incorporated low energy lighting and solar panels to provide hot water.  The new building now consists of 2 sports halls; a 160 seat Lecture Theatre; a 50 Seat Lecture room; tutorial rooms and study areas; 4 new laboratories; a computer suite; a multi-purpose teaching area; faculty, administration and research offices and a new cafeteria.

The University of Limerick plays a unique role in Irish sport. This includes responsibilities for the provision of teaching and research programmes in physical education and sports science. Currently there are 600 full-time students enrolled in such programmes. In addition to its national role, the University is responsible for providing a sports environment to the 12,500 student body and staff on campus and the general sporting public in the region.

Speaking at the launch of the newly revamped PESS Building Professor Don Barry, UL President said: “This new PESS building is many things to many people - it is an outstanding learning facility for our students, offering state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories to ensure our students experience the best education available in Ireland.  The building is also a valuable community resource, available to various agencies for evening and weekend physical activity programmes, sports training and competitions. The PESS department also collaborate with the community in delivering iPLAY, a physical activity programme for children with special needs, which we hope will bring great benefit to the children, young people, and their families.”

Graduates from the first classes of students of National College of Physical Education, the classes of 1975 and 1976  attended the launch along with Irish Sports Star, Sonia O’Sullivan; the University of Limerick Governing Authority, representatives of national and local sporting organisations and UL Foundation board members.