News that the government is introducing a new swimming strategy to capitalise on Ireland’s Olympic success is of scant comfort to those waiting for a swimming pool in North Kildare.
To help future generations emulate the success of Daniel Wiffen and Mona McSharry, a working group has been established to give ‘everyone in Ireland the opportunity to swim.’
The proposed commitment includes additional funding to help schools with transport and pool hire costs.
Maynooth Councillor Angela Feeney has greeted the news with scepticism. She says, ‘One of the defining factors of Olympic winners is access to sports facilities from an early age. In swimming terms, that means 50-metre pools.
‘This report is extremely vague on the details and pushes the idea of short-term, pop-up facilities. If they are serious about this, we will need multiple child-friendly, free or affordable swimming facilities around North Kildare,’ Feeney adds.
Celbridge Councillor Rupert Heather also expressed concern about the government’s report.
“Even though any Olympic journey begins at a local swimming pool, anecdotally I’ve heard of serious swimmers in North Kildare having to go to the National Aquatic Centre or to Meath to train,” he says.
Cllr. Feeney has been highlighting the need for a pool for many years now. “Back in February when Maynooth University President attended our Council meeting, I suggested upgrading the college pool and reopening it for community use while we await a new build. This suggestion was received positively by both Maynooth University and Kildare County Council. However, work is still to begin refurbishing the Maynooth University pool, while the new swimming pool earmarked for North Kildare is still years away”.
“This is just more hot air; the government needs to act. We need a serious commitment to funding a proper swimming pool for North Kildare,’ Councillor Feeney concludes.