Major step forward for regional sports centre

A further step along the preparation route for the new regional sports centre and swimming pool for Mullingar has been taken in the last week.

Members of the county council approved the plan for both the town centre and Robinstown elements of the development, after county chief executive Barry Kehoe presented a report setting out the points raised during the public consultation process, which ran from July 28 to August 26.

The project now moves on to the detailed design stage, and preparation of documentation for contracts.

“At the same time, we’ve got to seek further funding and we’ll be looking for your assistance in that regard,” Mr Kehoe told members.

The estimated cost of the overall project – the town centre and Robinstown plans – is €70m.

“And while the council is in a position to put up a proportion of that… we will be looking to government for a significant proportion,” he said, explaining that the council has its sights set on obtaining assistance from the Urban Regeneration Funding due to announced either later this year or early in 2026.

In light of the submissions received during the public consultation, a number of tweaks were made, and Mr Kehoe said that having considered all of the various submissions and the regional, local and national policies and the local area plan, he was satisfied that the development was in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

The development is to see an eight-lane 25-metre swimming pool, a 20m x 8m teaching pool and splash pad provided, together with a 12 court multi-use sports hall, a gym and studios and then reception and ancillary spaces. What’s described as a ‘public plaza’ is to link the development from its site at Blackhall to the town centre.

Mr Kehoe told councillors that the sports centre will be “a game changer” for the centre of Mullingar.

“It will attract large numbers of people into the centre of the town on a seven-day week basis, so it will present great opportunities for people who do business in the town,” he stated.

Mr Kehoe said that at present, a parking strategy is being devised to accommodate visitors to the centre, but he also envisaged that a lot of children might walk to the pool after school rather than having to be driven to it; the new bus service would also open a transport option, as would improvements in the Active Travel infrastructure.

In terms of the Robinstown development, he said that submissions from the Office of Public works drew attention to the fact that the site may be subject to flood risk. He said, however, that given that the development consists of sporting facilities rather than residential development, the council was happy that it can put in appropriate measures to protect the site.

An Cathaoirleach, Cllr Aoife Davitt, was delighted that the project was to take a step forward, and said it was fortunate that the council had been putting aside funding for the project for some years, which meant they had been able to achieve so much already in terms of design and planning.

Cllr Mick Dollard said people were delighted to see a project of this magnitude being brought to Mullingar. While there would be a loss of car parking, he was confident that director of services, Deirdre Reilly, and district engineer, Pat Kavanagh, would be able to make up for the shortfall.

Cllr Denis Leonard welcomed the fact that so many minority sports would be catered for, and suggested that park and ride facilities on the edge of town should be put in place to facilitate those seeking access.

Cllr Ken Glynn said he still has reservations about the swimming pool location, and sought reassurances on traffic management. He stressed at the same time it was important that something of this magnitude should come to Mullingar.

A call to ensure the pool catered for children with additional needs was made by Cllr David Jones, who also admitted that he had fears over whether the funding required would be provided for the project.

The opinion of Cllr Bill Collentine was that the loss of some car parking was a small price to pay, but he felt it needed to be made up elsewhere to offset the loss. He also called for the provision of parking for buses taking people to the facility.

Cllr Andrew Duncan also had concerns over the parking, but said the project would be a great boost to Mullingar. “It’s not a project that any of us can be anything other than delighted about,” he stated. He had concerns about the design of the Robinstown building, which, he said, he would raise with the executive.

Describing it as “a really important day for Mullingar”, Cllr Emily Wallace extended praise to the council executive, the design team and the Mullingar Pool Action Group, “and everyone that put their weight behind it, because without that, I don’t think we’d possibly be here today”.

Cllr Alfie Devine wondered if consideration had been given to the possibility of providing sports facilities in other towns in the area, and wondered too if it tied in with Westmeath GAA’s plans for development.

Many sports catered for

The Blackhall development, on a site of 1.8ha is to consist of:

• 8 lane 25m swimming pool

• 20x8m teaching pool and splash pad

• Multi-use sports hall (12 court)

• Gym and studios

• Reception and ancillary spaces including meeting rooms, viewing area, sensory room, staff room, WCs, wet/dry changing rooms, stores, plant rooms, ESB substation

• A landscaped public plaza, pedestrian/cycle/vehicle routes, and car/bike parking facilities

The 7.97 hectare Robinstown site, just north of Dalton Park, is to have:

• A single-storey multi-sport facility of approximately 1,288 square metres containing three dedicated indoor training spaces, changing facilities, a meeting room and staff office

• Three all-purpose, all-weather pitches, four padel courts, one basketball court, walking trail

• A landscaped entrance plaza, two kiosks to provide WC/storage/maintenance, and car/bus/bike parking