COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 12, 2010

QUESTION NO. 19

QUESTION: Councillor W. Lavelle

To ask the Manager to provide an update on efforts to deliver new swimming pools across the county including an update on any proposals from and/or discussions with private parties relating to possible joint venture initiatives?

REPLY:

The Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport has not yet formally indicated to the Council when it expects to re-open its swimming pool programme which has been closed since July 2008.

The Department of the Environment by circular letter LG /03/ 08 dated 2/4/08 required each Local Authority to carry out a comprehensive audit of all arts, community and sports facilities within its area, this audit has been completed and returned to the Department.

The  Department has embarked on this route to assist in the wider exercise of putting in place a more strategic approach to provision of facilities generally and ensure the development of necessary sports facilities throughout the country.

In the meantime, the Community Department has forwarded to the Department its Water Leisure Strategy Review to support the Council’s strategic view in this County.

Following any announcement of the re-opening of the Swimming Pool Programme the Community Department will review likely costs and sources of funding with regard to projects. In this regard the Department has stated that "No decision has been taken on the timing of a new round of the programme".

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

Proposals have been submitted by the developers at Adamstown for the provision of a Sports and Aquatic Centre at Adamstown and are still under active consideration and discussion with the relevant Council officials. There is no agreement yet, but there has been correspondence between the parties and a meeting took place on June 29th to discuss the matter. The meeting was a lengthy one and covered a very wide range of issues. Both sides raised issues which require further clarification. It is likely that further meetings will be scheduled to discuss the matters raised.

The members will be kept informed of developments.