Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1103271
11.04.19 14 PROPERTY THE Siren's aquatic sports club can fi nally fulfi l their long-await- ed dream of having modern, state- of-the-art sports facilities after the Planning Authority agreed to fund their ambitious project. rough its Development Planning Fund (DPF), the Authority will be fi nancing up to 70% of the project, which is equivalent to €2.2 million. Not only will the project enhance the area within St Paul's Bay but, more importantly, it will serve to cater for the growing demand that exists in the northern region for ac- quatic sports facilities. e new acquatic complex will in- corporate a main pool which will be the second largest in Malta, a kids\ learning pool and a three-lane in- door pool to ensure training can be carried out all year round. To protect against inclement weather, as happened earlier this year, the main pool will be raised above sea level while a two metre wave wall will also be constructed. e complex will also have a gym- nasium, changing rooms and show- ers, a large sundeck, a pool bar, a div- ing school facility, a spectator stand and a restaurant at upper level. Perit Vincent Cassar who chairs the DPF Committee said "the funding of this project heralds an important stage for the fund. It is the first major project that the Au- thority is funding which was not proposed by a local council, as is typical the case, but this project came directly from a non-profit making organisation." "We hope that this project will en- courage other NGOs and private or- ganisations who have the vision and dream to carry out a long lasting physical intervention within their community which is intended to up- grade the amenity and appreciation of a locality," he said. Siren's ASC is one of Malta's largest aquatic clubs with over 350 athletes (5-18 yrs) competing at a nation- al and international level in both swimming and waterpolo. e Development Planning Fund was established in 2017 and has over the past two years fi nanced up to €12million in community projects across the Maltese Islands. ese projects include the embel- lishment of playing fi elds and open spaces, the restoration and regen- eration of old properties for social community facilities, energy saving street lighting, the installation of open air gyms and much more. Proposed projects can receive up to a maximum of 70% of the total project cost. As of this year, to further assist the benefi ciaries, an up-front payment of 30% of the project cost is given at the signing of the contract. e monies for this fund come from two sources; the fees (20%) as- sociated with regularisation applica- tions and the tariff s that a developer is charged when on site parking is not provided for with a development permit. To view the entire list of DPF pro- jects visit https://www.pa.org.mt/ en/development_planning_fund PA to invest 2.2million in new Siren's aquatic sports complex "We hope that this project will encourage other NGOs and private organisations who have the vision and dream to carry out a long lasting physical intervention within their community"