BREAKING: Swimming pool in Kildare reopens to the public
A Senator based in Kildare said that it ‘made no sense’ to leave the facility lying idle
A swimming pool located in The Curragh of Kildare has reopened to the public.
Works were previously completed to the swimming pool in September of 2024 at a cost of almost €300,000, after initially being forced to close due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
After the measures enforced during the pandemic subsided, the Defence Forces tried but were unsuccessful in recruiting lifeguards at that time, and as a result, the facility was unable to reopen for public use.
Due to operational requirements, there must be two lifeguards on duty when schools or community groups are using the pool.
The pool subsequently sat in limbo after it had been forced to close, and it prompted various political representatives to call for its reopening.
And now, it has been revealed that the pool will reopen for bookings to local schools and community groups for three days a week, following the recruitment of the required number of lifeguards.
Welcoming the news last night (January 21 last), Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin said: "It is a terrific asset sitting in the heart of the community and it made no sense to leave it lying idle.
"Kildare is a growing county and prior to today’s announcement there was only one public swimming pool in the south of the county, based in Athy; this is some distance from Newbridge and Kildare town, where there are growing and developing populations."
She added: "[County] Kildare continues to grow in size and influence so it is only right that we have the infrastructure and amenities that reflect that size.”
Furthermore, Senator O'Loughlin said that while the reopening of the swimming pool on The Curragh is "very welcome", she stressed that it will "not stop the push and lobbying" to secure funding and resources for a public swimming pool in Newbridge.
Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin. File photograph
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.