Opening of Dunmanway Swimming Pool
June 6th 2017
Cork County Council's new state of the art €5.5 million Dunmanway Swimming Pool was officially opened today by Patrick O’Donovan TD Minister of State for Tourism and Sport together with Cllr Declan Hurley, Chair of the Municipal District of West Cork and Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey.
The €5.5 million construction project, of which Cork County Council contributed €1.7m with the balance provided by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is equipped with a 25m swimming pool with removable diving blocks and turning panels for club training and Galas’, a Learner Pool, hydrotherapy pool with a movable floor that can lower to a depth of 1.5m along with a large Steam room, Sauna and changing facilities. The pool will also provide improved access for persons with disabilities, with state of the art private changing facilities complete with ceiling hoists and a pool side hoist.
Minister O’Donovan said “I am delighted to have the opportunity to perform the opening of this magnificent facility here today.” He went on to say “This Government understands that sport and physical activity have huge potential to contribute to the development of a healthier society. We want to ensure that all people are encouraged to participate in sport and to enjoy all the benefits that sport can bring through developing a healthy lifestyle. As Minister for Sport, I am committed to increasing and developing participation and interest in sport and swimming is considered to be one of the best forms of physical exercise for developing and maintaining high levels of physical fitness.”
The opening of the pool is a major step in the creation of the Municipal Pool and Leisure Complex. An application has recently been made under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme to complete the Gymnasium and Aerobics Studio. Speaking at the opening, Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey reaffirmed the commitment of the Council to recreation and amenity projects, “Over the last three years, Cork County Council has contributed over €200,000 in grants to over 60 sporting applications in the West Cork Municipal District. Facilities such as the Dunmanway Pool are crucial to community spirit and the fostering of sporting ambition.”
The Pool will not only provide recreational swimming but will also facilitate a variety of activities including adult and children’s swimming lessons, aqua aerobics, pool birthday parties, swimming gala’s and intensive lane and triathlon training. The newly formed club the “West Cork Orca’s”, established in early 2016, are working hard to build on their success and the team is eager to train in the most modern pool Cork County has to offer.
Cllr. Declan Hurley, Chair of the West Cork Municipal District, warmly welcomed the opening of the pool, "I would like to thank Cork County Council for its support and commitment throughout this project. This wonderful facility will act as a catalyst for the town and for West Cork and will place Dunmanway at the centre of the area in terms of recreation and sport. The vision is to make Dunmanway Swimming Pool the home of swimming in West Cork by continuing to add to the list of activities including water babies classes and welcome all communities across West Cork to enjoy this new facility. There is no doubt that this pool will once again take pride of place in West Cork.”
The old swimming pool closed on Saturday 20th May and will be demolished in order to facilitate an additional 50 parking spaces for the new facility.