200 people on waiting list for Fermoy Swimming Pool

There is currently a waiting list of approximately 200 people for the Fermoy Swimming Pool.

Figures regarding the number of people on a waiting list to access the facility were revealed at this week’s Fermoy Municipal District meeting following a query put forward by local councillor, William O’Leary.

According to the councillor, he has received a number of calls in relation to waiting lists for both public and private sessions.

“I understand that it’s an issue across a lot of county council swimming pools in Cork, but not only in Cork, but throughout the country where the waiting lists have just gotten slightly out of control.

“These extracurricular activities and out of school activities are vitally important and they play a vital role in a person’s development,” Cllr O’Leary said.

SIDE EFFECT OF COVID

In response, Municipal District officer Pauline Moriarty confirmed that the issue is a national one and that Covid played a key role in exacerbating the issue.

“There is a waiting list in Fermoy. It was 350 at one stage but recently we have taken 150 off it so it’s down to 200 and they’re actively reducing that,” Ms Moriarty said.

According to Ms Moriarty, with schools now returning to swimming lessons and with Easter and Summer camps underway, it is hoped that the waiting lists will reduce significantly.

“We will be taking groups of 50 off it over the next number of weeks so hopefully we will work on reducing that. It’s one of the side effects of Covid and it is something we will try and resolve as soon as we can,” Ms Moriarty added.

Cllr O’Leary welcomed the news that the issue is being tackled and commended both Cork County Council and the staff at Fermoy Leisure Centre for their work.

“There’s no doubt that the commitment is there, it’s just when you hear about waiting lists it always creates an element of panic and it has just unfortunately done that.

“People think when they are on a waiting list, they are never going to get anywhere.

It’s good to see it being actively reduced and hopefully, we can get that down in the near future,” Cllr O’Leary added.