‘Massive setback’ as new Buncrana swimming pool project fails to get funding

The decision not to grant a funding application for a new swimming pool in Buncrana has been described as “a massive setback”. 

The Buncrana Leisure Centre was not one of 35 projects announced on Monday as having been granted a share of  €173 million under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund.

The  ATU Letterkenny Regional Sports and Activity Hub project was granted funding of  €8.7m.

Buncrana has been without a swimming pool since 2015 when the leisure centre closed in or renovations. It was recommended in 2018 that the building on Aileach Road be demolished and replaced with a new facility.

Planning approval for a two-storey building of almost 2,500 square metres and a 25-metre-long pool was granted in January.

The funding application was for  €11.7m with an additional €5 million to come from Donegal County Council.

Rosina McLaughlin, chair of the Buncrana leisure centre committee, said she was devastated at the news, adding that the committee had been very optimistic that the  “very detailed application” submitted in conjunction with Donegal County Council would be successful.

The only option for the project now is to wait for a call for funding to make an application under the Buncrana shore front regeneration project, she said.

“They wanted shovel-ready projects and we are ready to go,” she said. “There is absolutely  no reason why we should have been refused. It’s another year or two wasted. We really need people to go out and protest because how many years is this going to go on?”

Cathaoirleach of the Inishowen Municipal District Cllr Jack Murray described the decision as an “absolute, inexplicable disgrace” that  left him “absolutely sick to my stomach”.

“The council's application couldn't possibly have been any stronger and the demand from everyone in Inishowen couldn't have been voiced any louder,” the Sinn Féin councillor said.

“To me, this is clearly a decision based on the politics of geography. We have a government which doesn't give two hoots about Inishowen as areas which have been awash with funding for years are set to enjoy another windfall - while we are left behind.

“We will, of course, continue to fight and focus on plan B, to include the pool in the application for the regeneration of the Shore Front. But this is a massive setback. It's a punch in the stomach and I'm sick for it.”

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Donegal TD and agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue said  it did not prove possible to secure funding for the leisure centre and the ATU project “given the need for a regional spread across all counties”, adding that he is committed to securing funding for the Buncrana project.

“The provision of a new swimming pool and leisure centre is hugely important for Buncrana and the wider Inishowen peninsula,” he said.

“I have been engaging with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Department of Rural Development to pursue funding through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund and also through the Regeneration Fund that is part of the Repower Buncrana Project.

“I will now press for a successful funding application for the Repower Buncrana Project under the Rural Regeneration Fund. This project received €1.8 million last year for the design project proposal, and I believe it is one that will stand a very strong chance of being successful.”