COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 08, 2010

MOTION NO. 5

MOTION: Councillor D. Keating

That the Manager would present a detailed report for discussion on the Council's Water Leisure Strategy, including a detailed report on the remaining elements of the Water Leisure Strategy, and in the current uncertain economic climate, within what planned time-frame does the Manager envisage the remaining projects will be rolled out?

REPORT:

The Council’s original Water Leisure Strategy was adopted by the Council in March 2000. This Strategy was based on a Consultancy report carried out by Price Waterhouse Coopers who were engaged by the Council for the purpose.

At the meeting of the Strategic Policy Committee on Sport, Recreation Community and Parks held on the 16th November 2005 it was agreed to recommend to the Council that the Water Leisure Strategy be reviewed. This recommendation was approved by the Council at its December Meeting.

The review was carried out in – house and the main approach adapted was to assess progress to date on the implementation of the key recommendations  for the provision of swimming pools  as contained in the original strategy and to consider ways to advance / re-assess remaining key recommendations.

The completed review was presented to the members of the Strategic Policy Committee on Sport, Recreation, Community and Parks at its Meeting held on the 24th May 2006. One of the recommendations of the Review is the proposal to provide a Public Swimming Pool facility in Lucan on the site identified in the Council’s Development Plan.  

The SPC recommended that the Review, which had been circulated to all Council Members be presented to the next meeting of the Council for adoption. The review was presented to the Council on the 12th June 2006 and was adopted.

The remaining elements of the Water Leisure Strategy review are the completion of swimming pool facilities in Lucan  and investigation of a joint venture / partnership for Terenure/Rathfarnham area.

The Lucan Sports and Leisure Centre is included in the Council’s 3 year Rolling Capital Programme under the category “projects planned”

The Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism has not yet formally indicated to the Council when it expects to re-open its swimming pool programme. Grant assistance has been an integral part of the financing of the completed elements of the Water Leisure Strategy

The Council is committed to providing this facility for the people of Lucan and surrounding areas and will do so in conjunction with receiving the necessary support from the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism and sourcing the necessary capital funding.

Following any announcement of the reopening of the Swimming Pool Programme the Community Department will review likely costs and sources of funding with regard to these projects.

In addition, due to the economic downturn there will be further financial challenges with regard to funding (Revenue and Capital) going forward which may negatively impact on the Council’s infrastructural programmes.

It will be necessary to await developments and clarifications regarding these challenges before fully assessing these projects further.

The provision of a swimming pool facility in the Terenure/Rathfarnham area was added to the Water Leisure Strategy following its review to be advanced as a joint venture.

In the absence of committed sources of funding  for these projects and the continued uncertainty  it is not possible to give a timeframe for their completion.

The members will be kept informed of developments.