‘Push’ needed for Robinstown complex

Having set aside almost €3m for the Robinstown regional sports complex, members of Westmeath County Council are anxious to know what is happening with it.

As they set aside another €390,000 in this year’s budget, Cllr Ken Glynn asked for an update.

"We put substantial money aside every year for this project, money that could be spent on roads and footpaths," he remarked. Meanwhile, early morning queues outside Mullingar Swimming Pool continue to lengthen.

"We need to push" for this complex, said Cllr Hazel Smyth, who is part of the Mullingar Pool Action Committee.

Cllr Aoife Davitt claimed that the numbers using Mullingar pool are at their peak and the staff are great, but the facilities are not. She complained that taps are inaccessible to children and those in wheelchairs, and lockers are not working.

Jimmy Dalton, head of finance, was distressed to hear that facilities at the pool were not adequate. He said that the funds were there to ensure that situations as described were not evident.

Cllr Mick Dollard asked the three government parties to do their utmost to get funding for the Robinstown project.

The chief executive, Pat Gallagher, said that the Robinstown complex was a high priority project with the council, which wanted Mullingar to have the same level of facilities as Athlone and other towns. "We are taking every opportunity to keep it before the department’s notice," he said.

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