Thank you for lending your voice and support to the campaign to get a Public Swimming pool for Dungarvan.
Our petition has been presented to Council management - further illustrating the huge demand that exists locally.
I have campaigning over recent years for a public swimming pool to be developed in the town alongside clubs, parents, schools, water safety advocates, competitive swimmers and many others.
Almost 2,000 people have added their names to this petition , which calls on council management and the incoming Council to get the ball rolling on a public swimming pool for Dungarvan.
To say that the council’s senior management is unenthusiastic would be an understatement. Unfortunately despite the clear public demand and the matter being frequently raised by myself and other councillors, management seems unwilling to play a part in developing a public swimming pool.
I want to thank the public for having their say and for adding their voices to the demand for a public swimming pool to serve the town and wider West Waterford area.
This matter came before the Council recently and was backed by a majority of councillors. Unfortunately not all local councillors backed the proposal – with one councillor opposing it outright and another expressing concerns over the costs.
Last year the Council eventually commissioned a feasibility study following sustained campaigning and this report clearly articulated the demand and the rationale for a public swimming pool in Dungarvan.
While clearly a development of this nature will cost a lot to develop there are many examples of excellent facilities that have been developed by local authorities in other parts of the state. These set the benchmark and show what can be achieved when a Council is prepared to work with the community to deliver a significant public amenity. Funding under the national Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Scheme would be an ideal starting point for this project.
Its important that the campaign for a public swimming pool in Dungarvan continues to gather pace and it kept on the political agenda. Council management must listen to the public and to their democratic representatives.
le dea-ghuí,
Cllr. Conor D. McGuinness
087 9345603