COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

MOTION NO. 5

MOTION: Councillor W. Lavelle

That this Committee reaffirms it’s absolute commitment to securing delivery of a much-needed and long-awaited swimming pool for Lucan, in particular noting that that the population of Lucan (excluding areas in Fingal) now stands at 44,503, a 23% increase since 2006 and that since 1996 the population of Lucan-Esker has increased by 300%; requests the Manager to reassess the previously-prepared plans for a pool, to be located at Griffeen Valley Park, with a view to presenting re-costed and realistic plans for a swimming pool and leisure centre for Lucan.

REPORT:

The Lucan Sports and Leisure Centre is included in the Council’s 3 year Rolling Capital Programme 2011-2013 under the category “projects planned” but subject to availability of funding.

The Department of Transport, Tourism 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 2000.

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 Community 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.

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 Transport, Tourism,  and Sport and subject also to the necessary capital funding being sourced.

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 the project. 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.

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

Community Department is committed to the provision of a swimming pool in Lucan but can only do so within the resources available.  So far, we have not been able to identify any alternative sources of finance to fund this project.

Proposals were submitted by the developers of Adamstown SDZ for the provision of a Sports and Aquatic Centre at Adamstown for consideration and discussion with the relevant Council officials.  A meeting between the developers and the relevant Council officials took place  in  Summer 2010.  Following that meeting, the developers undertook to do some further research on the matter and revert to the Council.  There has been no further contact or clarification from the developers which is understandable in light of the changed economic environment.

The options open to the Council in this case are as outlined in this report and, in the present circumstances, it is not possible to surmise when these options might change. 

In the above context it is considered premature to re-assess previously prepared plans for a swimming pool in the Lucan Sports and Leisure Centre.