Motion passes in support of community swimming pool in county Waterford
A swimming pool for Dungarvan has been a matter of discussion for the past eight years. Stock Image.
The development of a community swimming pool in Dungarvan has received unanimous support from district councillors.
Cllr Pat Nugent put forward a successful motion at the January sitting of the Dungarvan-Lismore District Council calling for all councillors to support the development, which has been in discussion for years.
“A public swimming pool is not optional infrastructure. It is essential. The case to support is clear. A unanimous backing is justified,” said Cllr Nugent.
Cllr Nugent argued that hotel pools are not a viable alternative to community-run facilities.
He said that there is no pool in West Waterford, which means community groups, schools, families and people with disabilities may be unable to access swimming facilities.
Dungarvan is a coastal town and water safety lessons are essential.
But Cllr Nugent pointed out that without a local swimming pool, families, schools and youth projects cannot teach swimming and water safety education.
He said that swimming is one of the “most inclusive and effective forms of physical activity available,” supporting cardiovascular health, rehabilitation and mental wellbeing.
Investment in a public pool is therefore an investment in health, not discretionary pleasure. A 25m indoor swimming pool will provide year-round weather-independent access.
“A public pool would also function as shared community infrastructure. It would provide a safe, supervised environment and act as a local focal point for families, older residents and community groups.
“Facilities of this nature strengthen social inclusion, community connection and overall quality of life,” said Cllr Nugent.
The motion was seconded by Cllr Joe O’Riordan, who said that more than half the pools in Waterford are in hotels, giving the illusion of a met need without accessibility.
He said that long waiting lists make access for children and young people impossible.
“Swimming is one of the most popular activities for people with disabilities. Yet many facilities lack basic accessibility features.
Without public provision, exclusion is basically built into the system,” said Cllr O’Riordan.
While no vote was required to pass the motion, all councillors voiced their support for the development of the swimming pool.
Cllr Donnchadh Mulcahy said the pool was “a basic community need, not a luxury”.
Cllr Kate O’Mahoney said the pool was needed “not just today but for the future of our area” and that everyone should be “given the opportunity to enjoy the water safely”.
Cllr Thomas Phelan cited a Swim Ireland report and said that Waterford has 10 pools, eight of which are in hotels and the other two in the metro area.
He said 67% had waiting lists, only five were open to community groups and the average year of construction was 1967.
“We are due a pool at this stage,” said Cllr Phelan.
Cllr Damien Geoghegan pointed out that the discussion on the pool started in 2018 and the feasibility study was presented in 2023.
He asked that the feasibility study and the updated version be made public.
“We need a roadmap of how we actually deliver a swimming pool. The arguments have been made in favour of it.
“We have all shown support for it, but we are no closer to putting a shovel in the ground than actually providing a swimming pool. That’s the reality of it,” said Cllr Geoghegan.
Cllr Tom Cronin agreed and said that he hoped this motion would not be forgotten.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Niamh O’Donovan told the council that learning to swim has opened up sporting opportunities for her that are not open to many in West Waterford at present.
“I was a very bad asthmatic, and swimming was the only sport available to me at that time. Swimming made me strong enough to move on to play GAA, which I love.
“To this day, that skill base has brought me to compete at an Iron Man level. There is a four-kilometre swim in that competition. I had to do my training in Youghal at the 25m pool to be able to build up to that 4k distance, said Cllr O’Donovan.
Cllr O’Donovan also told the story of her young neighbour who competes nationally and has to travel to Clonmel several times a week to train.
And she pointed out that membership of the local triathlon group is down significantly and said she believes that is down to the lack of swimming facilities.
“Now they can’t even consider competing in a fun triathlon because they don’t have the skill base to learn.
“So, look, there is only one trajectory here in our swimming, in our lifeguarding, in our water activities and that is unfortunately going down, so I really think we need to respond and support our community,” said Cllr O’Donovan.
Director of Services Planning, Corporate, Culture, HR & IS, Ivan Grimes, said that they are planning a workshop with councillors to discuss the matter.
Cllr Nugent had mentioned a company in the UK that can install affordable swimming pools, to which Mr Grimes responded that the council was required to follow a public procurement process.
He also said that the funding they receive for the pool will have to be matched by the council and that is a matter for the plenary council.
Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
