WITH widespread support for the reopening of Glenalbyn Swimming Pool, calls for a pool in Ballyogan to be prioritised are also being made.
Plans for a new swimming pool are included in the second phase of the Samuel Beckett Civic Campus, which has yet to commence.
Cllr Chris Curran (SF) said that Minister Shane Ross’s campaign for the reopening of Glenalbyn Swimming Pool has “led to a local belief that he is not committed to the Ballyogan pool”.
Cllr Curran is now calling on Minister Ross to prove them wrong so they can “dismiss those concerns”.
The councillor told The Gazette: “Minister Ross does a fine job campaigning for the pool in Glenalbyn, but doesn’t seem to comment on the Ballyogan pool – a pool that is central to the completion of the Samuel Beckett Civic Campus.”
Cllr Curran said that Carrickmines, Glenamuck, Leopardstown, Sandyford and Stepaside need a grant from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport for the pool works to get under way.
“The longer it’s left, the higher the cost, and the higher the cost, the less likely it’ll be completed.
“As every year goes by, the completion of the council’s flagship sports venue becomes more unattainable because of tender inflation.
“The Carrickmines, Stepaside and Leopardstown areas are facing large-scale residential development and the vicinity is void of local amenities.
“We have a problem with anti-social behaviour, and the completion of the complex is integral to combating it.”
He called on the Minister to commit to getting Ballyogan pool built.
The Gazette contacted Minister Shane Ross for a response to Cllr Curran’s claims, but had not received a response by the time of going to print.
