SWIMMING POOL PLANS BITE THE DUST
The development of a leisure centre for Mitchelstown is now officially on hold.
A statement issued by the Mitchelstown Leisure Centre committee says, ‘After fifteen years of effort, we have finally accepted that the proposal to build a leisure centre in Mitchelstown based around a swimming pool, gym and other facilities cannot be realised in the foreseeable future.
"The repeated delays by Government in opening the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme to new applicants since 2000 and the collapse in the value of development sites such as the canon’s field since 2007 have combined to fatally undermine the feasibility of the venture’.
‘Therefore, we have concluded that the time is right to proceed to a more achievable project which can be completed over the next couple of years as we strongly believe that the canon’s field can still be developed and be of benefit to all sectors of the community in our town’.
Chairman of the Leisure Centre committee, Ben Lynch told The Avondhu, “We have our own views on the type of facilities we would envisage but, given that we will not be proceeding with the swimming pool which was to be the headline amenity, we are keen to get an input from our community.
“We are asking clubs and other organisations to carefully consider what you would like to see in the canon’s field to maximise the benefit to the community as a whole. We are all aware of the lack of facilities in the town, sporting and otherwise, but we are asking you to take all sectors into your thoughts, be they children, young adults, families, the elderly, male or female, employed or unemployed.”
Mr Lynch continues: “With your input, we will be best placed to make an informed decision on the best use that can be made of the canon’s field. The present position is that land bank owned by the Leisure Centre Group, known as the canon’s field covers the area from the Tesco boundary to the south to Convent Hill including the two houses once occupied by the clergy. It also includes the property on Upper Cork Street known as the Peppermill. The entire area is approx. 3.8 acres.”
“There is also the small matter of over €1.8 million on deposit account. This is a very substantial figure in itself, and the committee hopes that it will be augmented by grants from one or more agencies if suitable proposals are forthcoming.”
The deadline for submissions from community groups and the public is May 31. All submissions should be sent to Mrs Katherine Cahill, secretary, Mitchelstown Leisure Centre Committee, King St, Mitchelstown.
Published:
Thursday 30th April 8:21pm
