Minister insists council remains committed to reopening local pool

MINISTER for Sport Shane Ross has insisted that Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council remains committed to the reopening of Glenalbyn Pool in Stillorgan.

There was widespread disappointed last week as it emerged that some €10 million in “ring-fenced” funding for the refurbishment of the pool was apparently cancelled after the project was reclassified as “funding not available” in the council’s list of capital projects.

The funds were re-allocated as part of the council’s Programme of Capital Projects 2019 – 2021 that was presented to councillors at a meeting last Monday.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Donal Smith said: “We need to look past the gloss that’s being put on this decision.

“This is a case where the actions speak for themselves. The funding for Glenalbyn Pool has been pulled. That means that the plug has been effectively pulled on the pool project." 

However, Minister Ross had earlier circulated a letter to Glenalbyn Pool “supporters” claiming: “We thought you should be among the first to hear encouraging news about Glenalbyn swimming pool.”

He referred to “an unexpectedly positive response” from Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Chief Executive, Philomena Poole in answer to his queries about the ring fencing for the pool. 

"Contrary to a misleading narrative that DLRCoCo has abandoned the project Ms Poole reaffirms the council's commitment to it,” Minister Ross wrote in the letter. “It is classified as a ‘pipeline’ project.

“Ms Poole states that the reclassification of the money in the 2019 Budget reflects the reality that it will not be spent this year.

“However sufficient money (€1.7m) is available to kickstart the project with design and planning. 

She also confirms that the talks with Kilmacud Crokes are continuing. Another meeting is planned for next week.”