Report into new pool is planned

WICKLOW County Council aims to carry out a full report into the potential to develop lands near the Avon Hotel in Blessington for sporting purposes, including the possible provision of a swimming pool.

Baltinglass Municipal District is the only district in Wicklow without a public swimming pool.

At Monday’s monthly meeting of Wicklow County Council, Cllr John Mullen asked for an update from the Chief Executive over the identification of suitable sites for a swimming pool in west Wicklow.

The Chief Executive, Frank Curran, replied that the Local Authority is currently preparing a town and village renewal scheme application for a full report into the possibility of providing a swimming pool, pitches and running track on a large chunk of land belonging to Wicklow County Council and located close to the Avon Hotel.

The report will cost in the region of €200,000 and the application should be ready for submission by the end of the month.

The news was warmly greeted by Deirdre McCormack of The Community Pool for West Wicklow group. She has been leading the campaign to locate a pool in west Wicklow after established the group in late 2018.

Speaking the day after Mr Curran’s announcement, she said: ‘It is wonderful news. There are over 30 acres of land sitting in that area zoned for the likes of recreational, housing and industry.

‘ The site has been sitting idle for some time now and would make for an ideal location for a community swimming pool. We also made a submission to the County Development Plan calling for a swimming pool to be included.

‘Now the pool is mentioned in the County Development Plan for the first time ever. We suspended our fundraising during the lockdown and became more of a community support group.

‘Hopefully we will be getting our fundraising activities up and running again soon, and this announcement is big news for us.’