White wades in on pool row

MINISTER Alex White (Lab) has expressed concerns about claims by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council that the age profile of the Stillorgan area could present challenges for the future sustainability of Glenalbyn Swimming Pool.

Glenalbyn pool was closed in December 2013 after a health and safety report identified significant structural defects in the building’s roof.

A subsequent

“business case

? report warned of future problems with the pool, including the apparently significant statistic that almost half of the population of Stillorgan was more than 40 years of age.

Minister White said:

“The argument put forward that an ageing population is an impediment to the redevelopment of Glenalbyn Swimming Pool just doesn’t hold any water.

“Given the worryingly high rates of obesity in our over 50s, a local swimming pool for the people of the greater Stillorgan area is equally important for those in middle-age as it is for children.

“Swimming has incredible health benefits and it is critical that people between 45 and 54 years-of-age age are encouraged by local authorities to take part in such physical activity.

?

Minister White said CSO figures show that those aged 45-54 in Stillorgan outnumber those between 0-10 by 29 per cent.

“It is crucial that the pool’s development is progressed so this group can feel the full benefits into old age,

? he added.

“It is counterintuitive to say that an ageing population should be a barrier to the pool’s development. We needn’t look further than the council’s own amenities in Meadowbrook to see that our older citizens regularly make great use of the swimming facilities on offer.

“It is a vital resource for older people who can continue swimming long after they move on from other sporting activity.

? Deputy Olivia Mitchell (FG) said the priority was first to establish the extent of demand for a pool.

“I would strongly question the

‘demographic’ argument made by the council, which makes the case that almost half of the population of Stillorgan is over 40 years of age,

? she said.

“The corollary is that more than half is under 40 years of age. But the really telling fact is the forward planning figures of the Department of Education and Skills which indicate a rapidly expanding young population.

“These verified figures of existing primary school demand led to an announcement only last week of a new primary school to meet the demand of precisely the same area as that served by the Stillorgan pool. The figures would seem to indicate demand for a leisure facility in the areas for at least the next 20 to 30 years.

?

A spokesperson for the council said that in March 2014 the elected members approved a capital budget which provided

?¬10m for the redevelopment of Glenalbyn pool.

“Given the importance of providing the most suitable leisure provision for the area, it was decided at Monday’s council meeting to set up a working group consisting of the six ward councillors in the Stillorgan Electoral Area with the Director of Environment as a non voting convenor to investigate all alternatives open to the council.

“The group will bring a recommendation to the council with proposals that will guide public leisure provision in the Stillorgan area for the next 5-10 years.

?