THE Council said that demand for a 50-metre pool in the new Lakeland Forum would “not meet the cost” of development, despite facing objections over the plans from a local swimming club.
At a special meeting on Tuesday night, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council approved a much-anticipated redevelopment project of the Lakeland Forum, in the heart of Enniskillen.
It was outlined in the plan that the new Forum will contain an eight lane 25-metre swimming pool, with an adjoining separate learner pool and splash pad area for young children to avail of.
The Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club has been calling on an amendment to the project and the development of a 50-metre pool, so major competitions and galas could be held locally.
Director of Community and Wellbeing at Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, John Boyle, defended the decision to create a 25-metre pool, citing the significant financial implications.
“In 2022, 4.65-per-cent of the 367 respondents raised issues about needing a 50-metre pool [in the consultation on the Forum] – a very, very low percentage,” explained Mr Boyle.
“There are three [50m pools] in Northern Ireland and three in Southern Ireland. It genuinely would be regarded that Northern Ireland has too many 50-metre pools as it stands at this point in time.”
While the Director of Community and Wellbeing recognised the appeals for a bigger swimming pool, he pointed that the development of a 50-metre area would put more cost on the project.
“The demand for it certainly would not meet the cost,” Mr Boyle added.
“You can only imagine the size of the development that we would need to put in a 50-metre pool and the ongoing energy costs that would be required to maintain it.”
There was outrage at a consultation meeting held at the Enniskillen Hotel prior to the Council meeting, with the Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club voicing their frustration at the plan.
It has since been reported that the Council has reached an agreement with the Lakelanders, with provisions put in place for alternative training to be held in the Omagh Leisure Centre.
The Enniskillen Lakelanders will be given use of the pool in Omagh for free on a Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with one coach paid mileage for travelling.
It was also agreed that the local swimming club will be able to organise two swimming galas per annum at the Omagh Leisure Centre, while the Forum is undergoing its redevelopment.
“I have to say that the number of consultations with the Lakelanders have been extensive. They are the one group that we have spent a lot of time with,” Mr Boyle told the Council meeting.
“There are over 45 consultations and interactions between Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and the Lakelanders in relation to the development. We have came to an agreement.”
Following on from Tuesday night’s meeting, Maria Rolston, a spokesperson for the Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club, hit out at the Council’s decision to proceed with the redevelopment.
“I feel it’s a massive social, economic and political mistake on the part of the council,” she said.
“The wider public are only starting to realise that the doors are going to close, the iconic building will be razed to the ground and the entire county will be left without its only 25m swimming pool for at least three to five years, if not more.”
Related posts:
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere