Swimming pool campaign 'never in better position'
It is important that Westmeath County Council put together as strong an application as possible to secure funding for a new regional sports centre and swimming pool for Mullingar.
That’s the message from the Mullingar Pool Action Group following the announcement last Friday that applications are now open for latest round of the government’s Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). A total of €120m has been allocated, and the closing date for applications is July 1.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, the chair of the Mullingar Pool Action Group, Lisa Corcoran, said that said that while local campaigners are confident that funding can be secured, it is important that the application by the council comprehensively outlines the need for a regional sports centre and swimming pool in Mullingar and that planning permission for the project is secured as soon as possible.
“Several members of the pool action group met the Minister of State for Sport Thomas Byrne earlier this year, and in the meeting, we emphasised to Minister Byrne the critical need for an upgraded pool with greater capacity to serve the long term need of everyone in our community.
“Huge work has been done on the Mullingar Regional Sports Centre project by Westmeath County Council, most recently a sports need assessment was undertaken. It is crucial that this momentum is continued with regard to getting the project shovel ready.
“MPAG are excited to continue to work with our local TDs, minister, councillors, Westmeath County Council and everyone in the community to help bring this dream of a new swimming pool and regional sports centre to Mullingar into reality.”
Ms Corcoran’s sentiments were echoed by the vice-chair of the group Robert Keane. “There has been a lot of strong work done in the community and at political level to get us to this stage. We are looking forward to helping the council in any way we can to put in the strongest application possible.
“We have never been at a better point to apply for funding for a project like this and this opportunity may not come for a very long time again.” Announcing that the window for applications is now open, Minister for Sport Catherine Martin said that it is “vitally important that we continue to invest in sporting facilities so that people of all ages and abilities can benefit from their use”.
“I encourage all eligible projects applicants with suitable projects to consider applying for this competitive process. New projects could be designed to increase participation in sport, to provide large venues or stadia or to boost high performance and new swimming pool projects will also be considered.”
Minister of State Byrne said: “Continued investment in sports facilities across the country is essential so we can achieve our ambitious targets for sports participation and that is why I am delighted to welcome the opening of a new round of applications under the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund.
“The implementation of the new similar access requirement will also ensure that women and men enjoy similar access to all sports facilities which are publicly funded.
“The announcement of a new round of funding means we can build on the progress made to date under LSSIF and ensure projects across the country get an opportunity to deliver the facilities that their communities need and will participate in for decades to come.”