COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN, NEWCASTLE, RATHCOOLE, SAGGART AND BRITTAS AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

QUESTION NO. 4

QUESTION: Councillor W. Carey

To ask the Chief Executive to provide a full report on the functionality of Clondalkin Leisure Centre and to explain why there have been continuous problems with the "boom" separating the pool and to outline how maintenance is carried out and if there is local expertise available in the country to provide a sufficient service.

REPLY:

Recent disruptions have been linked primarily to the failure of boom transducers (critical components that support positioning/operation). The failed transducers were removed and will be returned to the manufacturer to determine the cause of failure. Further diagnostics are expected during the upcoming visit scheduled for 28–30 April. We will also seek a quotation to repair the failed transducers and, if financially feasible, retain critical boom/floor parts as spares to reduce downtime in the event of future failures.

The wider system is complex and includes below-water and under-floor components, so not all issues can be verified from poolside and some disruptions can also be influenced by associated plant, controls, or interfacing mechanical components.

An independent technical assessment (Newman Aquatic) has advised that a specialist dive team is required to obtain underwater footage and assess sub-surface and under-floor interfaces that are not otherwise accessible.


Maintenance is managed through a specialist service contract for the movable floor and pool boom systems at Clondalkin Leisure Centre and Tallaght Leisure Centre. Euro Pools Service Ltd have been awarded this contract. The contract provides planned preventative maintenance (one pre-arranged site visit per annum) and specialist technical advice/assistance as required to support satisfactory operation, alongside reactive interventions when faults arise.

The boom and movable floor systems are bespoke/proprietary to the original designer/manufacturer (Europools). As a result, specialist servicing capability is limited, and the available providers identified to date are based outside Ireland (UK and Holland). At present, there is no confirmed local provider in Ireland able to deliver a full equivalent service for this proprietary system.

Management at SCD Leisure is due to meet with the current specialist supplier in May to seek a detailed proposal for the next three years. This will enable informed consideration of the best long-term approach.

The centre’s focus remains on safe, evidence-based diagnosis and specialist intervention, rather than short-term or reactive solutions that could compromise system integrity or public safety.