COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)

Monday, February 16, 2009

MOTION NO. 5

MOTION: Councillor M. Corr

That the Manager provides a status report on the operation of the Tallaght Leisure Centre using a SWOT analysis and indicating what ways he will address any negative issues that may arise.

REPORT:

Tallaght Leisure Centre ( TLC ) was opened in November 2006 as part of the councils Water Leisure Strategy.  The facility consists of a 25 m Pool, Gym and Sports Hall. The facility is managed by South County Dublin Leisure Services Ltd, which is wholly owned by the council. The remit of the company is to manage the facility by providing the best amenities at affordable prices within a cost neutral base to the council.

The centre provides a diverse range of leisure activities, including swimming, canoeing, scuba, aqua fit, gym, indoor football, badminton, dance, marshal arts, yoga, all at affordable prices. The sports hall is fitted with public gallery seating and hosts major sporting events at weekends. Meeting rooms are available in the evening time for local groups. A MUGA (mini football all weather) is provided adjacent to the centre for local young people free of charge. 

The centre was recently awarded a White Flag by the Institute of Leisure and Amenity Management (ILAM). Currently the pool operates at near capacity and has limited additional capacity in its day time schedule.

 The Centre draws the bulk of its customers from the immediate local area within a travel time of 5 to 10 minutes. Customers have expressed satisfaction with the range and quality of the amenities on offer and view the facility as a major asset to Tallaght West.  

The Centre employees the equivalent of 30 full time jobs and provides a base for the Spoirt teic programme, which delivers a training programme for young people who wish to access the leisure & amenity industry. It is expected that the Centre will reach financial equilibrium this year however the emerging economic climate may have a negative effect on the leisure market.

The locating of Tallaght Leisure Centre in Jobstown is a tangible demonstration of the Council’s commitment to providing quality facilities to all our customers.

The next challenge is to develop a programme which will enable every child in Tallaght West to access swimming during the primary years. TLC is well placed to play a pivotal role in this exciting programme.