Michael Greene
Closed last year due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the current status of Marian College Swimming Pool is that it is to remain closed for the foreseeable future. Earlier this year the Swimming Pool’s Board of Management released the following statement:
“To all associated with Marian College swimming pool.
It is with a heavy heart that the Board of Management announces the closure of Marian College Swimming Pool. Notwithstanding the efforts of the pool manager and her team, the Covid 19 pandemic, restrictions and related costs have had a significant impact on the long-term viability of the swimming pool.
We would like to thank you for your loyalty and support of the pool since its opening in 1966. The pool, which was the first indoor swimming pool built in Dublin in the 20th century, has been at the forefront of training and teaching in swimming, water polo and other water sports. It has also been a great resource for the community, providing enjoyment, fun and life-saving skills in all things aquatic to thousands of its users down through the years.
The Board would like to particularly acknowledge the contribution of all the staff, the community, the local authority, community gain funds and sporting agencies who supported the pool since its inception in 1966, and our patrons the Marist Brothers.The pool could not have operated for so long without your support and we sincerely thank you for it.”
Opened in 1966, Marian was the first indoor swimming pool built in Dublin in the 20th century and has been at the forefront of training and teaching in swimming, water polo and other water sports. It has been a great resource for the community, providing enjoyment, fun and life-saving skills to all of its users down through the years.
A campaign to save the pool was started on Uplift some months ago and to date has received over 4,000 signatures, but despite this, and petitions to Dublin City Council, Swim Ireland, Sports Ireland and Minister for Sport Catherine Martin its future is uncertain. However, all may not be lost as a recent report presented to the Dublin City Council Budget Consultative Committee proposed €40,000 in additional funding for the beleaguered Swimming Pool.
The report reads:
“Marian College has operated a swimming pool since 1966, which is now closed; the pool was available to the school during school hours and available to the public, swimming groups, clubs and local community. A number of other schools in the area also uses the facility. As the facility provides a significant resource to the local community and with the nearest Dublin City Council pool being Markievicz it is accepted that without access to this pool many schools, groups and public would be at a significant loss. Dublin City Council propose to engage with Board of Management of the pool to explore options to reopen the pool. It is proposed to make a contribution of €40k subject to discussions.”
There is a chance that this additional funding will be approved at the full council meeting in April. If so the swimming pool could still survive.
We at NewsFour hope that this great resource can be saved, as next to Markievicz it is the only available local community pool, and its closure would have a devastating effect on the community of Ballsbridge and its surrounds.
