Funding of €50,000 will further advance hopes of re-creating tidal pool at Sligo's Gibraltar

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

The approval of grant aid to enable Sligo County Council to prepare a feasibility study/ecological assessment and design for the tidal swimming pool at Gibraltar, has been welcomed by long time campaigner for the scheme, Cllr Declan Bree.

“I am extremely pleased that our application for €50,000 under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme was approved, which essentially will allow the Council to prepare the necessary ecological surveys, Natura Impact Statement and preparation of a detailed design for the provision of the tidal swimming pool,” Cllr Bree told The Sligo Champion.

“In recent months it has been wonderful to see the ‘Rocks’ or Gibraltar being brought back to its former glory and to see it again being used by swimmers on a daily basis.

“Last September we completed Phase 1 of the Gibraltar project with access enhancement works involving the reinstatement of the footpaths, the construction of steps and the provision of handrailing.”

“At our Borough District meeting in November, I proposed that the Council seek grant aid under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme 2024/2025 to enable us to prepare the necessary studies and design for the swimming pool, which will bring the project through the initial planning phase. My proposal was supported and endorsed by all of my council colleagues and I want to acknowledge the consistent support of all councillors for this initiative.

“Community groups including the Sligo Tidy Town Committee and the Aylesbury Park Residents Association have also been very supportive.

“I particularly want to acknowledge and thank the Council’s newly appointed Director of Services, Mr Brían Flynn and his colleague, Senior Executive Engineer, Mr Thomas Kerins, and their colleagues, for the time and effort they have put in so as to ensure the advancement of this project.”

Cllr Bree explained how Phase 2 of the project will prove challenging as Cummeen Strand is located in a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protected Area.

“Back in the 1950’s when Gibraltar was first developed as a recreation area there were no regulations restricting the Council from carrying out construction works in the area. Today we live in different times, especially with regard to our natural environment and EU regulations.

“The provision of the tidal swimming pool certainly presents challenges, particularly taking into consideration that Gibraltar is located in a Special Area of Conservation. “In this context the Council will be required to prepare a Natura Impact Statement (NIS) which describes the works in detail and identifies and characterises all possible implications for the site and set out mitigation measures to avoid, reduce or offset all such implications.

“In addition Council engineering staff will have to arrange for the preparation of a project brief, with detailed design drawings, construction method statement etc. They will also have to engage an Environmental Consultant to advise on the appropriate assessment. This is all very costly and the reason we needed the grant assistance.”

“It is only when this phase of the project is successfully completed that the necessary funding for the construction of the pool can be applied for.

“Swimmers are aware of the popular tidal swimming pool located in Belmullet, in Co. Mayo and in this context certainly recognise the benefit of having the tidal swimming pool at Gibraltar restore,” Cllr Bree concluded.