Nenagh Leisure Centre opens but Roscrea remains closed for now

Disappointment and an accusation of “selective discrimination” has met the news that the public swimming pools in Roscrea and Thurles must remain closed over Covid-19 shortcomings. 

Nenagh Leisure Centre reopened on Monday of this week having been closed since March, while the Clonmel and Tipperary town centres are to reopen later this month. It is understood that enhancement works have taken place at Roscrea Leisure Centre but that it will not reopen until September 1st. 

In a statement this week, the board said a significant issue in the reopening of the Roscrea facility is the likely deficit in funding required to run the centre. “Restrictions currently in place would not allow the pool to run at full capacity and this will have serious implications on the possible income that can be achieved for the remainder of this year,” the statement reads. The board said it is awaiting news of a stimulus package propsed by the Government to assist such facilities. 

At this week's meeting of Tipperary Co Council, Roscrea councillor Noel Coonan (FG) said “selective discrimination” was at play in allowing three of Tipperary's leisure centres to reopen while Roscrea and Thurles remain closed. He spoke of the efforts the people of Roscrea went to in establishing the local swimming pool and said there is a lot of concern locally over the situation. 

“Why is this happening?” Cllr Coonan asked. “The people of Roscrea deserve better.” 

He told the meeting that leisure centres are important for people's physical and mental health and wellbeing. They are also used by sports clubs and individual athletes to maintain fitness levels. 

Cllr Coonan called on the council to put pressure on the Government to ensure the immediate reopening of all of Tipperary's public leisure facilities. “Funding should be made available forthwith,” he said. 

Cllr Seán Ryan's (FF) concern was that clients of closed public facilities would be lost to private leisure centres. The longer the public centres remain closed, the more they are likely to lose. “There are jobs at stake here,” he said. 

Cllr Seamus Hanafin (FF) said there is an issue with more recently established centres, which were set up as “separate entities” even though they receive council funding. He agreed it is unfair that these centres cannot reopen now. 

Cllr Jim Ryan (Ind) also feared losing members to private facilities and the repercussions this would have for income and employment at public facilities. “It's worrying that we're looking for a Government bailout,” he said of the situation. 

CEO Joe MacGrath said the council would write to central Government about the situation. While the council would honour its own funding commitment to the centres, it is facing a potential funding deficit of €20 million this year and does not have the capacity to provide any additional funding. 

“Reopening is notoriously difficult,” Mr MacGrath said. “Compliance with the public health guidelines is very challenging.” 
He added that a number of the county's smaller libraries have not yet reopened as social distancing arrangements have not yet been possible. Most other facilities are, however, up and running again. 
As a member of the board in Roscrea, Director of Services Pat Slattery said he is very familiar with the local situation. He said Roscrea Leisure Centre was upgraded during the Covid-19 lockdown and the facility is ready to reopen. This would happen in mid-August if possible.

After the meeting, Roscrea councillor Shane Lee (Ind) issued a statement calling for clarity on the matter so that local people would know what is happening. “There is a huge emphasis at this time on mental health, particularly since the onset of the pandemic” he said, adding that it is a proven fact that exercise and leisure activities are a major benefit to the mental health of people of all ages. 

Meanwhile, the swimming pool and gym at Nenagh Leisure Centre has reopened for designated user groups with time slots for people aged over 60, lane swimming, special needs, families and casual use. Pre-booking is not required and walk-ins can be accommodated subject to revised capacity restrictions in place. 

Details of opening hours and time slots are available on www.tipperarycoco.ie and on the Nenagh Swimming Pool & Leisure Centre Facebook page.