Councillors support swim only option at new pool

THE public's wish to have a 'swim only' option at the new Castlebar pool has been loudly supported by local councillors.

Concern over the 'swim and gym' combo – priced at €10 – was aired at a municipal district meeting yesterday, with council officials told they need to be separated.

Councillors were loud in their praise for the actual facility itself, with it being hailed as 'excellent' and 'fantastic'.

On the public's concern about pricing, Councillor Michael Kilcoyne said the 'swim and gym' option reminded him of a person buying bread and being told, 'it's a fiver; here's the butter'.

“People should be able to swim only. This is a public facility, paid for by the taxpayer."

Councillor Martin McLoughlin said every councillor had got the same complaint and it needed to be rectified.

Everyone would like it to be cheaper, Councillor Cyril Burke noted. He was told it was not much out of line with similar facilities.

He asked that something be done for families with a number of children. It was very expensive. Prices should be reviewed, he said.

Councillor Frank Durcan said he had visitors from Dublin at the weekend and they went to Westport, where they paid €6. “How many more have gone and will go,” he said.

All members agreed 'swim and gym' needed to be separated.

Responding, Padraig Philbin said there was a huge difference between this pool and the old pool. It wasn't just a pool, it was a full leisure centre.

There was a huge difference between it and other pools around the country too, as it has two extra lanes. The down side is there's extra water to be heated.

Ten more lifeguards were also needed.

The charges were to run the facility and they had been carefully analysed.

There was a swim only facility, he said, with a swim booklet option, like in the Westport pool.

The question about families would be looked at.