Fears for future of Southside pool after roof is removed

DÚN Laoghaire Rathdown County Councillor, Deirdre Donnelly (Ind), has called for assurances that the recent removal of the roof of Glenalbyn Swimming Pool will not delay the future rebuild of the amenity.

Last week councillors were notified of health and safety issues arising from recent weather damage when part of the roof came off the building that has been lying empty since 2013. 

“A number of residents in the Stillorgan and Kilmacud areas contacted me that day,” Cllr Donnelly said. “They were extremely concerned that their pool was being demolished having lain idle for over two years.

“Council management said that part of the roof was being removed for health and safety reasons but I feel that this issue should have been addressed when the facility first closed in late 2013.”

Cllr Donnelly and Deputy Shane Ross (Ind) organised a protest in Stillorgan to mark the second anniversary of the closure of Glenalbyn Swimming Pool, in December 2013. Despite bad weather a number of concerned residents battled the elements and marched from Glenalbyn Swimming Pool as far as Stillorgan Village in the pouring rain.

Deputy Ross said that while he supported any move to ensure public safety, it was disappointing that such measures had to be taken at all.

“These measures are necessitated in part by the neglect of the building for several years, even before its closure,” he argued.

A spokesperson for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said they had moved to address serious public safety issues associated with the structure of the pool.

“Following the recent extreme weather conditions and warnings issued by Met Eireann, the decision was taken to remove the roof from Glenablyn in a controlled manner,” the spokesperson said.

“A recent inspection has identified a further deterioration in the condition of the roof that had been exacerbated by the recent adverse weather conditions.

The spokesperson added: “Safety of the public is paramount and recent adverse weather conditions would pose a significant and unacceptable risk to neighbouring houses, some of which are within 10 metres of the pool building, and potentially to people using the adjoining sports pitches and car park.”

The council spokesperson said that works are currently underway to make the structure safe, which will include the removal of the roof and the infilling of the pool.