Emyvale Leisure Centre Celebrates 40 Years The Emyvale community came together last Sunday, in glorious sunshine, to mark forty years since its iconic Leisure Centre facility first opened its doors in the Summer of 1985 to huge excitement. It's hard to really get across what a momentous event that truly was. From the first seed of an idea following a revived Fair of Emyvale, to the official opening of Centre, the people of Emyvale had come together and worked hard to fundraise for their goal. The huge modern facility of its time, with space for so many sports and social activities, was truly life changing for Emyvale. At Sunday's celebrations an enthusiastic and heartwarming attendance of all ages enjoying the afternoon. While small children ran about gleefully, others performed traditional music to welcome guests at the door. Some children joined in with the popular Zumba display with Kristina and tapped along with Sinead and her Line Dancers. Upstairs there was a constant buzz in the Youth Club where the new snooker table and dart board were put to great use, and new friendships were made. Juvenile members of the Boxing Club looked impressive doing their training and handballers worked up a sweat in the handball alley.. On the other end of the age spectrum there were seniors who are not often able to be out and about. They were rightly greeted as celebrities and everyone wanted to catch up with them and reminisce about their memories of the Leisure Centre. Murphy Videos set up two screens and played vintage footage of the Official Opening, Christmas parties of old, concerts and the Thursday Club. There were so many familiar faces on the screens, and warm memories of people no longer with us but not forgotten. Often there were smiles, sometimes embarrassed grimaces, at the young people in the videos, who are now middle aged and older, and still very much part of the story and life of the Leisure Centre. The Main Hall was dotted with useful stands which provided local information on CPR, clean waterways, biodiversity, the Community Employment scheme and more. Groups, old and new, such as Blackwater Steelers basketball, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Emyvale Development, Donagh Development, Emyvale Tidy Towns, The Thursday Club, Mary's Keep-Fit, Nelius Flynn Artworks, Emy Belles, Emyvale Youth Club, Emyvale Handball and Emyvale Amature Boxing Club, displayed photos, trophies and other fascinating memorabilia and insights into their history and activities. Reverend Tim and Father Hubert were warmly welcomed and spoke of the importance of community. Peadar McMahon, the original instigators of the building, talked about its origins and of course left everyone laughing with an anecdote. The day was superbly celebrated through music with the inimitable Tony Cannon on saxophone, opening the proceedings. Members from the popular Ceolinn traditional group sang and played throughout the afternoon to everyone's great delight. There were solo singers and performers too, some from the Friday Sessions, who added their special talents to the day. A fabulous raffle was launched to help raise funds for the next phase of the Leisure Centre's history, and of course the kettle was on all afternoon to keep the tea flowing and the chat going. There was a beautiful cake which everyone enjoyed immensely.. With so many groups, individuals, suppliers and sponsors involved in making the anniversary celebration so successful and memorable it would be impossible to adequately thank them all. Therefore a huge thank you is expressed to everyone who contributed in any way and to all those who joined in the celebrations. A word of thanks to the photographers and videographers who captured the day so well. Finally, a sincere thank you to those who dedicated themselves to providing the Emyvale Leisure Centre back in 1985 and the very best of luck to those who volunteer to take it into the future for another forty years.