|
|
Sink or swim for Buncrana Leisure
Centre 03.02.10
by Caoimhinn Barr, Inishowen Independent
BUNCRANA Community Swimming Pool faces a real threat
of closure as the facility has still not been able
to get its hands on a fund of €2.8 million,
allocated to the facility five years ago.
The huge sum was set aside to allow the Inishowen
leisure centre to carry out an essential renovation
project to upgrade outdated facilities.
The Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism earmarked
the preliminary grant in 2005, pending the
appointment of a design team to approve the works.
The responsibility for finding the design team rests
with Donegal County Council. To date, no such team
has been appointed, leaving the swimming pool in
limbo.
Local Fianna Fail Councillor, Rena Donaghey, who has
been leading the fight for Buncrana Community
Swimming Pool for the past five years, said the
situation was ‘not good enough.’
“The County Council tendered for a design team
almost four years ago but when the tenders came back
they were simply put up on a shelf to gather dust,”
she said. |
“I am urging the
Council to select a design team to survey the works
needed for the pool immediately. This project should
have been completed by this stage but instead not a
single brick has been laid. It’s simply not good
enough.”
Less than three months ago, |
 |
Councillor Donaghey
tabled yet another motion concerning the Buncrana
pool at Council Chambers.
“The pool will close without this money and I am not
prepared to let that happen. The proposed extension
will be a great boost to everyone in Inishowen.”
“The County Council do pay towards the maintenance
of the pool every year but they have dragged their
heels on this issue for far too long,” she added.
It is understood that the €2.8 million fund is
needed to upgrade gym equipment, revamp changing
rooms and install a toddler pool and jacuzzi.
Cllr Donaghey also paid tribute to the Swimming Pool
Committee, a voluntary organisation, for their
outstanding efforts.
Buncrana Swimming Pool Committee chairperson, Rosina
McLaughlin, said she was urging the Council to
resolve this issue as soon as possible.
When contacted yesterday, a spokesperson for the
Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism said:
“A preliminary report was approved for the
refurbishment of Buncrana swimming pool in April
2005, leaving Donegal County Council to proceed to
the next stage, which is the preparation of contract
documents.
“I understand contract documents should be ready for
approval in the autumn of 2010 leaving the way open
for Donegal County Council to allow the project to
go to tender.” |
|
