Using the economic downturn as a reason for abandoning the proposal to build a leisure centre for Knocknacarra is a “cynical excuse” and “must be condemned” according to Fianna Fáil Galway West TD Frank Fahey.
Dep Fahey is also calling for a full investigation into the procurement of the facility and for the tender to be examined by an independent expert. He has requested Cllr John Connolly to propose such an investigation at the next meeting of the Galway City Council.
J&L Group, S&P Architects and NRG Fitness - the consortium that was to build the much needed swimming pool, community and leisure facility on the Cappagh Road - recently abandoned the proposal.
It is understood the group withdrew from the project following the downturn in the Irish economy. However Dep Fahey said a lead-in time of 12 to 18 months would be normal for such a project and that using the economy is just “a cynical excuse”.
“The question must be asked how committed was this consortium - part of which has interests in an existing leisure centre in Knocknacarra - to providing the new facility?” Dep Fahey told the Galway Advertiser.
As a result he is calling for a full investigation into the procurement of the facility after what he says was an “unrealistic” tender for the facility made in 2001, and which he alleges held up the project for more than seven years.
“I believe this tender was based on unrealistic assumptions,” he said, “and the tender itself should also be examined by an independent leisure expert.”
According to Dep Fahey, Kingfisher Renmore proposed to the city council the idea of developing a similar facility in Knocknacarra to the facility in Renmore which was developed on a public private basis.
The council reached agreement with Kingfisher to make a site available in 2000. To comply with public procurement rules, City Hall had to go to tender with the joint venture proposal. NRG, the owners of the existing swimming and leisure centre at the Clybaun Hotel, won the subsequent tender competition.
While Dep Fahey acknowledges that the above is “absolutely in accordance with proper procurement procedures”, he believes the tender that was submitted was “entirely unrealistic and did not stand a chance of succeeding”.
Dep Fahey is also calling on city manager Joe MacGrath to explain why the NCR contract was not withdrawn during this period “when it was clear this tender was not being developed as normal”.
He also wants to know why no timeline was imposed on the project and how and why it was “left to drift” for so long?
Dep Fahey accused Cllr Donal Lyons and Cllr Catherine Connolly of objecting to the public/private partnership approach to the provision of the community centre at the original Millar’s Lane site, between the Moritz Group, Kingfisher, and the city council.
“I am now calling on them to give their unequivocal support for a similar proposal, “he said.
Dep Fahey will also be calling on the city manager to change the zoning to accommodate an enlarged site for the combined facility on the Moritz site and to approve the facility on the basis of the financial formula presented to him by the Moritz Group in 2006.
“Surely what we all want is for the people of Knocknacarra to see an end to the long wait they have endured for such a basic facility,” he said, “and this represents the best opportunity for this to happen.”
