Two sites for pool to be considered

A LOCAL councillor has said she is disappointed by the outcome of a council vote on the future of the Glenalbyn swimming pool.

At a recent public meeting organised by Independent TD Shane Ross and Cllr Deirdre Donnelly (Ind), the option to rebuild the pool on the current Glenalbyn site was the overwhelming choice of local residents.

Last week, Cllr Donnelly proposed that the Glenalbyn site be chosen as the location for a refurbished pool, as she believed it would be cheaper and take a shorter time to complete.

However, her proposal was defeated by 23 votes to 9 at a council meeting. 

An option to develop an alternative site to Glenalbyn will now also be looked at.

“The decision means that two options for the location are now, apparently, being considered,” Cllr Donnelly said. “The preferred choice of the officials is the same as that recommended in the recent widely criticised consultants’ report.

“There is clearly a demand for the pool to be rebuilt on its present site on the grounds that it will be finished sooner, that it will be less expensive and that it is the wish of the overwhelming majority of the local residents.”

Cllr Donnelly added: “I am very disappointed with the outcome of Monday night’s special meeting.

“As everyone knows by now, it is almost two years since Glenalbyn Swimming Pool closed its doors to the public.

“This year I organised three public meetings with Independent TD Shane Ross and on each occasion those who attended clearly indicated that they wanted the pool refurbished on the current site.

“ I have been inundated with emails from people in the Stillorgan and wider area who feel the same way. As a public representative I believe that I have to take into consideration how taxpayers’ money is spent and feel that a refurbishment of the current pool is the best option for all.

“I put forward a motion last night asking for this option only but this did not receive the support of the majority of members present. I am dismayed that taxpayers’ money will now go into the looking at both options.”