COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

HEADED ITEM NO. 8

HEADED ITEM: Community

Lucan Leisure Complex

REPLY:

Lucan Leisure Campus represents a major investment of over €13 million in the development of a new state of the art swimming pool and fitness centre to operate in conjunction with the existing leisure centre in serving the population of Lucan and surrounding areas.

The swimming pool development consists of a new single storey public swimming pool building, including gymnasium and fitness suites, changing facilities, cafeteria, associated landscaping and public realm improvements to surrounding area and an upgraded car park to allow for 108 car parking spaces and 88 bicycle parking spaces.

Construction works on the swimming pool started in August 2019 but the works programme has been severely impacted by COVID -19 related construction shutdowns and revised health and safety arrangements resulting in a significantly delayed projected completion date of approximately May 2022.

The existing adjacent leisure centre has been closed since August 2021 to facilitate urgent structural works and will be re-opened under joint management with the swimming pool to maximise the synergies and benefits of a combined sports and leisure campus for the local community.

Given the level of investment, the operation of this campus requires a transparent process to select a competent and appropriate entity to manage, maintain and operate the facility.  This will be conducted through a negotiated procedure in accordance with public procurement requirements for concessions contracts and the relevant tender documents are being finalised for issue in the coming weeks.  The tender will stipulate the requirement to to operate a commercially viable facility along with supporting community use at the pool in consultation with the Council’s sports team by having appropriate “pay as you go” single use options, ensuring that local schools and community/sporting groups are reasonably accommodated and supporting a balanced range of inclusive sports and recreation activities

This campus and associated lands will remain in the ownership of the Council with the successful tenderer to be provided with a licence agreement for the management of the campus for an initial period of up to 5 years, with further renewal options, all subject to satisfactory performance and the agreement of both parties.  The licence will stipulate responsibilities including monthly activity and financial reports that demonstrate community usage of the facility and a requirement to engage with a campus management committee that will comprise elected, Council staff and community representatives.  Given the €3.8 million grant funding from the Department of Sport for the swimming pool, the final terms of the management licence will also be subject to the agreement of the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

It is intended to appoint the preferred operator no later than February/March 2022 to allow planning for the staffing, marketing and operation of the facility.