Anger over pool delays

LOCALS expressed their frustration at the ongoing delays in the reopening of Glenalbyn Swimming Pool at a packed public meeting in Kilmacud last week.

The communities of Stillorgan and beyond descended on O’Dwyers Pub where local Independent Alliance TD and Minister for Sport, Shane Ross, vowed to continue to use his public platform to apply pressure on Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to reopen the pool.

Glenalbyn pool closed its doors to the public over three and a half years ago due to health and safety concerns. 

“It is high time the council came good on its promise to refurbish and reopen Glenalbyn Swimming Pool at the original site,

? Minister Ross said.

“The community is crying out for the return of this vital facility.

“While daily we are reminded of the benefits of swimming for young and old alike, not just physically, but also mentally and socially, it seems deeply injurious to the community to be deprived of our pool for so long.

?

His views were shared by local Independent councillor, Deirdre Donnelly, who has been campaigning alongside Minister Ross for almost four years.

Referring to last week’s meeting, Cllr Donnelly said:

“I am delighted that there was such a high turnout, despite the summer holidays.

“This clearly indicates that there is a strong interest in reopening the pool within the community.

“Many attendees spoke about how important Glenalbyn Swimming Pool was to them.

“We heard on Monday from Catherine Murray whose children Oisin and Aoife Murray are elite swimmers with Glenalbyn Swimming Club.

“Aoife won gold at the Irish Open recently but Catherine spoke about the difficulties in finding training facilities elsewhere and the impact the lack of a pool was having on the club.

“Unusually, funding is not the stumbling block,

? Cllr Donnelly added.

“The council has ring-fenced

?¬10m for the project in its capital plan.

“It is understood that the delay arises from, among other issues, finalising the design and construction plan for the site and the desire to ameliorate the resulting impact on the immediate surroundings.

?

Minister Ross urged locals to continue to apply pressure at every level – to council officials, councillors – both inside and outside of the Stillorgan Ward – TDs and through sports clubs.

“Together we can achieve the completion of this project,

? he declared.

In January 2016, the council said it was moving

“to address serious public safety issues associated with the structure of Glenalbyn swimming pool which was closed in late 2013 because of safety concerns

?.

According to the council, an inspection had identified a further deterioration in the condition of the roof, with a number of fallen panels at both gable ends of the building.

A spokesperson for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council issued a statement on the issue last Friday.

“Discussions between representatives of the council and Kilmacud Crokes GAA Club are continuing to address all of the matters regarding the impacts of the pool refurbishment project on the club’s facilities in Glenalbyn,

? the spokesperson stated.

“A survey of the trees on the entrance road off Glenalbyn Road has been undertaken and the report is due.

“An appropriate assessment screening has been undertaken and a draft report has been received which is now being reviewed.

“Surveys of underground services are being undertaken also.

“In addition, discussions are taking place regarding the provision of facilities generally for the club’s members and proposals of the council to increase the availability of sports pitches in the county.

?

The spokesperson added:

“As stated previously, some of the matters under negotiation have yet to be within the council’s gift, ie provisions of facilities generally, and this impacts on the timeline.

?