Users of the gym not happy

THE Gym Users Committee, which represents local people who used the Mercy College gym, has described the decision to shut it as unacceptable.

Speaking to the ‘Sligo Champion’ Niall Monaghan, spokesperson for the committee said:

“The stance taken by the Minister and the Department, insisting that the building must remain in sporting use made it quite clear to the college authorities that the building could not be used for further development within the Mercy college.

“The gym was the biggest attraction for ordinary people from Cranmore and the surroundings area over the years.

“The bulk of the grant aid was provided on the basis of the Mercy giving a commitment that the facilities would be made available to people from the area.” He said there was no proposal at present for alternative sporting use of the room.

Mr Monaghan claimed offers of private operators to run the gym have been turned down.

Cllr Declan Bree said there was no justification for gym closure and he called for the establishment of promised Board of Management to run the facility.

“A new Board can reopen the gym, operate it professionally and make it available again to the people of the local community,” he said.