The people of Balbriggan and its environs have been invited to have their say on the new €11million public swimming pool to be built by Fingal County Council at Castlelands.
Fingal County Council has announced the commencement of the formal planning process for the 25-metre, six lane pool, with the lodging of planning permission.
Detailed plans for the pool and associated facilities have gone on public display and are open for observations until March 23 at: https://consult.fingal.ie/en/consultation/proposed-construction-public-swimming-pool-building-associated-changing-facilities-and-site-works
Plans can also be viewed at Balbriggan Library and at the Council Offices Swords during opening hours, until March 6.
Fingal County Council anticipates the statutory planning consent process for the new swimming pool will be concluded at the end of March.
It anticipates the tendering process will take place between April and June and that construction will begin in the last quarter of this year, taking 60 weeks.
A provision of €11million has been allocated to the project over the three year period of the Council’s 2025-2027 Capital Programme.
The new facility will incorporate a changing village, reception area and a viewing gallery.
It will be located south of the area’s Link Road, directly opposite the site of a proposed new school.
An integrated design team led by UK-based company ReCreation has developed preliminary plans.
The provision of a public swimming pool was a key ask of the survey by Balbriggan.ie in 2019, aimed at shaping an order of priorities to transform the town.
The findings subsequently shaped Fingal County Council’s ongoing €54-57million Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme.
In 2024, a study which reached out to local teens also highlighted the need for a public swimming pool in Balbriggan.
Dr David Begg, Chairperson of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, which oversees Fingal County Council’s Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme, warmly welcomed the announcement.
He said the swimming pool would have a profound and positive social impact on Balbriggan.
“As we know, Balbriggan is home to one of the youngest, fastest growing and most diverse populations in Ireland.
“There is an unmatched determination across the community of Balbriggan to build a bright future for the area and this initiative will assist in doing just that.
“This project is a symbol of the progress being made in Balbriggan – informed and shaped by the community- and which will provide a well-designed public facility for people to not only enjoy, but feel proud of.”