Boost for Lucan pool plan

After many years of waiting, the National Swimming Pool Programme has been reopened, with Lucan now in a “compelling position” to secure a public swimming pool, according to Minister Frances Fitzgerald.
A small number of pools will be sanctioned under this funding scheme, and if selected, Lucan will eventually see the development of a public swimming pool, located on a new sports and leisure campus at Griffeen.
“I promised that Government funding would reopen. This promise is now delivered,” said Minister Fitzgerald.
The total funding for the pool will also need to come from South Dublin County Council and in December it was included in the council’s three-year capital rolling budget, given an estimated cost of €10m.
It was also included in the council’s Draft Development Plan for 2016-22 and will benefit from a sum of €400,000 towards the pre-design and tender preparation from the council’s surplus fund.
A lobby for the public swimming pool has been set up by local residents and to date has amassed over 1,200 signatures in a public petition.
Deputy Joanna Tuffy (Lab), who has continuingly supported the campaign, said that she praises the local community for highlighting the immense need for a public pool in Lucan, adding: “I hope the council does all it can to provide the additional funding needed for the swimming pool.”
Welcoming the news, Helen Farrell, organiser of The pool4Lucan campaign said: “The council is already well-advanced in #Pool4Lucan plans, so it looks like our pool will be a reality for the 46,000 residents of Lucan. We achieved this together.”