BREAKING: Closure date of public swimming pool and leisure complex in Limerick town confirmed
The public swimming pool and leisure complex in Askeaton will close next week, it has been confirmed, after efforts to keep it open until the summer were not successful.
The Board of Askeaton Pool and Leisure DAC along with its shareholders Limerick City and County Council and Askeaton Swimming Club have issued a joint statement, this Friday night, confirming the closure of the facility from next Thursday - March 16.
Over the past ten days, there have been intensive behind-the-scenes efforts to maintain a limited service until June.
However, the centre will be now be closed to the public to allow for energy upgrades and plant room refurbishments which will aid in the future-proofing of the facility. These works are expected to take in the region of 12 months.
A statement, issued by Limerick City and County Council shortly after 7.30pm on Friday, reads: "Despite best efforts and engagement with all key stakeholders it has not been possible to maintain a limited operation of the Centre on a temporary basis until the capital works get underway. The current operator, Coral Leisure were not in a position to provide this service and an alternative operator could not be secured.
"The Board and its shareholders are committed to making sure the health and safety of all users are maintained at all times. This requires maintaining water quality, life guarding and most importantly, child protection and welfare. To facilitate this, sufficient time would be required to acquire the services of an appropriate alternative operator through a public procurement process."
The statement adds that the centre "has not been financially viable for some time" and has also been hit with escalated heating and lighting costs in recent months.
"There has also been a reduction in income from membership due to the uncertainty caused by the pending closure. We are committed to a full reopening of the Centre, which will be more financially viable on completion of the necessary capital works including energy efficiency upgrades. This will help to secure its operation in to the future," it reads.
The local authority has confirmed the project to refurbish the swimming pool and leisure complex will now go to tender.
Limerick Twenty Thirty DAC has been asked to assist with a tendering process and to use their expertise in capital works delivery.
"It is a key priority of the Board of Askeaton Pool and Leisure DAC, Limerick City and County Council and Askeaton Swimming Club to commence and complete the capital works as soon as possible.
"The Board and its shareholders would like to thank all stakeholders who have contributed to the Centre since its opening and acknowledge the disruption that this will cause for members of the public. However, the plan of action is necessary for the future use of the complex," concludes the statement.