Six-year delay for Lucan swimming pool questioned as cost rises to almost €20m
The cost of a much-delayed public swimming pool in Lucan has now risen to almost €20m, with councillors calling for an independent review of the project.
Councillors Helen Farrell, Liona O’Toole and Caroline Brady introduced three motions at a local area committee meeting asking South Dublin County Council (SDCC) to look into the “delays and non-performance”.
Construction work for the leisure centre began in 2019, when then-mayor of SDCC, Mark Ward, turned the ceremonial sod.
A spokesperson for SDCC confirmed the original contract for the construction of the Lucan swimming pool was €13.5m, and that currently, the expected cost of construction will be €19.3m.
The ‘dry side’ of the centre – including amenities like a gym – were completed this year, but the council has since ended its contract with the main contractor.
The council confirmed it is in the process of looking for a replacement contractor for the pool, but could not confirm a date for its completion.
“We set up a lobbying campaign for the pool 11 years ago, I didn’t think we’d still be waiting to see it open all these years later,” councillor Farrell said.
“I understand the council faced Covid delays and a difficult situation with the main contractor.
“But there were further delays in the project that we could have averted. An inquiry will help avoid the same mistake in the future.
“People in Lucan have wanted a pool for decades, promises have been thrown around for years.
“Considering our population, it’s shocking we still don’t have a public pool – we should have two or three when you compare this to other towns.
“We need some answers about the delays and non-performance within the contract. In terms of the extra spending to finish this project, it is somewhat unclear.
“SDCC should be briefing councillors more frequently.”
Introducing the motions, councillor Brady said there were concerns coming from the community on the delays around the leisure centre, and that a review would ensure accountability from the council.
Councillor O’Toole added: “I asked for the review because people have been watching the project very closely. They have questioned the delays and we have no answers.
“People are in disbelief that it’s gone on for this long. I know it’s coming and it’ll open up at the end of the year, but people have very little faith it’ll actually happen at this stage.
“This leisure centre is one of the biggest projects we’ve had in the county in some time. Given so many things went wrong, we need answers.”
SDCC said it was looking to complete the work at the “earliest possible date”.
“But given the need to agree firm dates from sub-contractors, we are not in a position to confirm an overall completion date,” a spokesperson said.
Councillors said that people in Lucan were already benefitting from the dry side of the leisure centre.
“We’ve opened the dry side, the management team has done great work – I’m a member myself and I see how much people have benefitted from it,” said cllr O’Toole.
“I’m living in Lucan 30 years, and there’s always been a call for a pool in Lucan.
“We have a massive growing population in Lucan, this is badly needed. So many school children have gone through their school years without getting into a swimming programme.
“That’s a basic skill children in the area have missed out on.”
Ongoing work on the leisure centre will be taken over by an interim contractor.
“Where relevant, this contractor is facilitating works ongoing by a number of sub-contractors who are operating in direct agreement with SDCC,” said the spokesperson.
They added that a number of design changes and additional payments were responsible for the additional €4.7m in costs.