Glenalbyn pool issue still bubbling away for locals

IT HAS now been three years since Glenalbyn Swimming Pool closed down, leaving locals without a nearby pool.
Local representatives still maintain that the pool should be rebuilt at its former site and condemned the council for “squandering public money” (€68K) on consultants’ reports to reach this conclusion.
However, Minister Shane Ross is hopeful that a final conclusion will be reached next year. He told The Gazette this week: “Glenalbyn is – and always was – the best site for a swimming pool to serve the community.”
The council said that it was necessary for them to commission the consultants’ reports as it is “difficult to carry out a detailed appraisal unless some project planning, scoping work and initial design work has been undertaken”.
“Glenalbyn is – and always was – the best site for a swimming pool to serve the community. I am encouraged that the end is in sight with the announcement that engagement has commenced with Kilmacud Crokes GAA Club.”
In October, The Gazette reported that following the news that Glenalbyn Swimming Pool may be rebuilt on the same site, it was revealed that the council spent €68,000 on consultants’ reports to come to this conclusion.
This angered pool campaigners at the time with Minister Ross condemning the “needless squandering” of public money.
Councillor Deirdre Donnelly echoed the sentiments of Minister Ross: “I am really quite frustrated that three years have passed and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council management still haven’t started on the refurbishment.
“A number of schools and clubs in the area used the pool regularly until its closure and they all feel really let down. There was also a social element attached to some of the classes and this has disappeared as well.”
One of the reasons given for the delay relates to access to the pool site, which is through the grounds of Kilmacud Crokes. Cllr Donnelly believes that this can be overcome.
“A number of members of Kilmacud Crokes were also swimmers in the pool before its closure,” she said.
“Many of the younger GAA players are attending nearby schools whose swimming lessons were stopped three years ago. I really don’t believe there is any conflict between the two.
“I attended the Kilmacud Crokes AGM this year and last year and was also present at a special meeting they convened recently.
“They are certainly happy to work with council officials to re-open Glenalbyn Swimming Pool. It’s a pity this process is taking so long.”
Minister Ross expressed hope that a final conclusion will be reached in 2017.