New committee to seek funding for a 50m pool for Drogheda

OVER 30 people attended a recent meeting regarding the provision of a second swimming pool for Drogheda, including representatives from Drogheda Swimming Club, Triathlon Club, Water Polo, Paralympics, Irish Water Safety & Lifesaving, Dysart Togher, Energie Swim Club and Special Olympics.

Organiser Independent councillor Frank Godfrey has called on the Local Authority to provide a second swimming pool on the north side of the town as the population is rapidly expanding.

The meeting, chaired by Cllr Godfrey, heard that the current pool is costly to hire and is not suitable for water polo and some other aquatic activities, with a number of clubs forced to train in the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin or up in Newry. Sporting needs, research, funding and a suitable site were among the topics discussed. Contributors said that Drogheda has some very promising young swimmers who could be future champions given the right conditions and facilities. Another pointed out that with a similar population to Drogheda, Galway boasts no less than three public swimming pools.

‘A 50m pool would produce more local sports people and Olympians and would benefit water-based sport in the greater Drogheda area,’ said Cllr Godfrey. ‘With an emphasis on healthy living and activity, it’s important to provide facilities for local people, as seen in Louth County Council statement: ‘Louth Local Authorities are committed to the strategy to make Louth a place where good quality sports / recreational facilities and opportunities will be available across the county and where participation in sports and physical activities by individuals and communities will be encouraged and supported.’

A Feasibility Study will be undertaken by the newly formed group with results being presented to Louth County Council.

A committee has been nominated and includes Dom Gradwell, Kieren Doyle, May Coyle, Aidan Townley, Sean Carolan, Chris Lennon, Fiona Kelly, Jimmy Gradwell and Olympian Colin Lowth.

Officers are to be elected at the next meeting of the group in mid- March.