Local Independent Councillor, Michael O’Brien, has called for a designated bathing area on the river Shannon. Cllr O’Brien brought forward his proposal in a motion tabled at the recent Athlone Municipal District meeting.
‘I think it’s a shame that we have no designated swimming area within the river Shannon. Almost every year we see someone tragically losing their life while swimming in the Shannon, so it would be good to have a designated safe area in which people could swim.
I think an actual pool within the river would be the best option. It would be a tremendous new addition to the river, the local community and it would help bolster our tourism product as well. I am very happy with the extremely positive response my proposal received from the council executive.
A pool within the river or a designated bathing area will be considered and proposals will be brought before members of the District Council by the end of this year. It is intended that funding for this project would be sourced through the Outdoor Recreation Grant Scheme’, said Cllr O’Brien.
