The project referred to by the Deputy dates back to April 1995 when the then Minister for the Environment and Local Government approved the Preliminary Report for a major refurbishment of an existing pool. The Contract Documents for the project were approved by the then Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation in February 2000. However, Mayo County Council indicated in July 2002 that it intended to build a new public swimming pool on a site adjacent to a holiday village where certain sports facilities already existed. The council engaged consultants to prepare a revised Preliminary Report which was submitted to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in November 2004. Some of the reasons for proposing a new site were: a new facility could be developed more quickly without any loss of amenity during the construction period of about 15 months; a new complex could be designed without the constraints which would arise if the existing structure were used; a new more efficient facility would be easier to manage and more customer friendly, particularly for people with disabilities; and much of the equipment at the existing facility was getting towards the end of its life span and would not facilitate best practice.
The work proposed for the new facility includes a 25 metre, six lane swimming pool, a children's learner pool with play features, sauna and steam room, viewing gallery, fitness gym, children's play room, meeting room and treatment room. The consultants also recommended that the building be designed in a way that other facilities could be added later.
Following detailed examination by the Department's technical advisors, OPW, the Preliminary Report for this project was approved by the then Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism in April 2005, allowing Mayo County Council to prepare Contract Documents. My Department now awaits the submission of Contract Documents for the project. It is understood that the Council intends to advance their project now that another project in the County is progressing to construction.