Eight-lane swimming pool would be 'short-sighted'
Westmeath County Council’s proposal to build a new eight-lane swimming pool is “short-sighted” and won’t meet the future needs of the town.
That’s according to Mullingar Pool Action Group (MPAG), Mullingar Jets Swimming Club and Mullingar Canoe Polo Club, who say that the town’s proposed new pool has to have 10 lanes to meet the needs of local aquatic sports clubs and the wider community.
Bernadette Martyn from Mullingar Jets Swimming Club, who is also a member of MPAG, outlined the Jets’ concerns around capacity if plans for an eight-lane pool proceed.
“A large percentage of the 630 submissions to the recent survey came from public and Jets swimmers from the Mullingar and Westmeath area. Building an eight-lane pool would be short-sighted, will not cater for demand and would limit pool use to singular use, excluding a true multi-purpose platform for public and private clubs to access the new facilities simultaneously.
“This would be a terrible waste and will not address the needs of the club or of the community. As a club, we suggest that the Jets would look to retain the current pool if Westmeath County Council goes ahead with eight-lane pool, as it is unlikely we would benefit in any way from the new infrastructure.”
Ivan MacDonald from Mullingar Canoe Polo Club, and also a member of MPAG, says that a 10-lane pool will enable more groups, including his, to access the facility.
“A standard 25mx8 lane pool is good for a swimming and learning facility but a slightly larger pool opens up the possibility to engage other sports and pool uses. For example, canoe polo requires 35mx23m, water polo requires 30.6mx20m.
“Mullingar now has Ireland’s largest junior canoe polo club. It would be great if the new pool could accommodate us. As things stand, we will be traveling to Belfast next winter every weekend to train in a suitable pool.
"We will travel to Lithuania to compete in their canoe polo sized pool. If Mullingar had the right size pool, we would organise international indoor competition in the town, as we do during the summer outdoors. This could be a real USP for the pool.”
Mr MacDonald also said that a 10-lane pool would provide “additional revenue opportunities”.
“A larger pool can be subdivided into two areas much more easily than a 6/8-lane one, and that is a great way to get maximum revenue from the pool, while facilitating minority and community groups who may not need or be able to afford the full pool.
“So, for example, with a 10-lane pool, you can subdivide and have six lanes allocated to swimming, while allowing a second community user – kayak safety training, aqua aerobics – in the second division.
“A smaller pool requires it to be one or the other – either open to the public or to community groups. That makes access much harder for the community and also leaves revenue on the table.”
MPAG chairperson Lisa Corcoran told the Westmeath Examiner that while she is confident that there is “widespread support” from committee members for the new swimming pool to be located in Blackhall, MPAG has “some concerns relating to the proposal”.
“MPAG has also always advocated for a 10-lane pool to meet the needs of our community. Having met with Westmeath County Council, MPAG feel confident in the plan for the new swimming pool to be located at Blackhall. There is no compromise in relation to the facilities that will be provided at the Blackhall site as opposed to the original Robinstown plan.
“The prime location at Blackhall will be a major boost to surrounding businesses in the town centre as well as being easily accessible by foot for residents and local school groups. In terms of the results of the sports needs assessment, we hope that a summary of the report will be made available in due course.
“We look forward to working in close liaison with WCC where we will continue our mission to advocate for the provision of the best swimming facilities to suit our entire community.”