Intel allocates €1 million to Kildare swimming pool project
Kildare County Council has also ordered a feasibility study for the proposed feature
Tech giant Intel has announced that it will allocate €1 million to a County Kildare swimming pool project.
Furthermore, the interim CEO of Swim Ireland, Mary McMorrow, said that her organisation welcomed KThe news coincides with an additional announcement from Kildare County Council (KCC), which also revealed that it is commissioning a detailed site feasibility study for the proposed pool on lands in its ownership in the Leixlip Demesne townland. This region is located close to both Leixlip and Celbridge.
The two announcements also follow after a pop-up pool was set up in North Kildare in March of 2023, and according to KCC, the collected data from this feature further supported ‘the case for sustainable swimming infrastructure in North Kildare’.
Announcing a commitment of €1million to this project, which also coincides with the opening of Intel’s newest manufacturing facility in Ireland (’Fab 34’), the company’s factory manager, Joe Bolger, said: “Through Intel’s long-standing engagement with our local communities, we understand that the provision of a swimming pool in the Leixlip and Celbridge area has been an ambition shared by many for years.
“We welcome the fact that KCC are moving forward with a detailed site study for a swimming pool that will maximise access to swimming opportunities for so many people in North Kildare.”
Mr Bolger further said: “Intel is delighted to commit €1 million to support the delivery of this much-needed facility, subject to planning approval.”
‘WE ARE COMMITTED’
One notable proponent for a new pool in North Kildare is KCC’s chief executive, Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive.
Explaining her view, Ms Kavanagh said: “Kildare is one of the fastest growing counties in Ireland, and, working alongside the government and other partners.
“We are committed to ensuring that the provision of community, social and recreational infrastructure keeps pace with demographic demands.
She added: “Successive Development Plans and other strategies have identified the need for swimming facilities in North Kildare and we look forward to progressing this project, subject to planning and funding.”
Furthermore, the interim CEO of Swim Ireland, Mary McMorrow, said that her organisation welcomed KCC’s proposals.
Ms McMorrow also said: “Following our very successful collaboration in bringing the pop up pool to Leixlip, Swim Ireland looks forward to supporting KCC to deliver a new public pool for Kildare.”
Lastly, the Mayor of the Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District, Labour Party councillor Rupert Heather, welcomed the latest announcement in relation to the proposed pool, and also noted that elected members ‘across all parties’ have long called for the provision of a swimming pool in Norh Kildare.