€1millionneededfor poolextension

September 2002

THE PRIVATE company running Wicklow town’s swimming pool wants the local council to go into debt to the tune of over €1 million to fund an extension to the facility.

Less than two years after the pool first opened its doors, thee management company now believes that a bigger gym, extra changing facilities and a juice bar are now needed.

The estimated cost of such an extension would be €1.065 million. It has been suggested that the council take out a loan for this amount, to be repaid over 20 years.

The management company would also help fund any works by increasing their licence fee to the council.

Coral Leisure would also pay for the extension to be fitted out.

However, councillors are concerned about committing themselves to such a large loan, while Town Manager Michael Nicholson described the idea as ‘unprecedented.’

The Coral Leisure company were only tenants of the swimming pool, he reminded members, and such a move would tie the council to these tenants for the next 20 years.