The decision to close the public swimming pool in Leisureland is simply a step too far and must be reversed, that is according to Galway West TD Catherine Connolly.
Following an announcement by the board of Leisureland last Wednesday, it is believed that some 28 staff stand to lose their jobs.
Deputy Connolly said this was the only public swimming pool in Galway serving Galway city and Conamara.
She said; "It has been used by at least five swimming clubs on a regular basis, the schools of the city and Conamara, and by the public. In addition a water safety group providing invaluable life-saving skills has been using the facility since it was opened in 1973.
"To deprive the people of Galway of such a wonderful facility is simply not acceptable. Over and over since the beginning of the Covid crisis, the Government message has been that there is no going back to the old ways and that lessons have to be learned from Covid about a sustainable way of life. In this context, to close Leisureland because of a temporary lack of revenue exposes the hypocrisy of those words.
"It is crass stupidity to close such a wonderful facility at a time when people are looking for leadership and vision. It is ironic that in a week when we’re opening pubs with the assistance of Government funding, that we are closing down public swimming pools because of a lack of funding, lack of vision, and lack of proper management.
"A further irony in this saga is that the council have been actively engaged in seeking public funding for the opening of a swimming pool at Cappagh Park in Knocknacarra while Leisureland goes under."
Deputy Connolly said she has written to the CEO of the Galway City Council, Brendan McGrath, and to the chair of the board of Leisureland, Independent councillor Donal Lyons, asking them to review and to reverse this decision.
Deputy Connolly continued; "Furthermore, clarification is needed on what financial assistance has been requested of the city council by Leisureland, and also what assistance has been sought by the city council of Government.
"An integral part of any solution to keep Leisureland open must be engagement with the staff on the ground who have years of experience and many ideas about how to increase revenue."
Deputy Connolly said she would raise the issue on the floor of the Dáil again as a matter of urgency this week.
The pool was opened in 1973 after a long fundraising campaign led by Jimmy Cranny and the pool is named after him.
