Feasibility study aims to keep Leisureland above water

A contract is expected to be awarded over the next few weeks for the carrying out of a feasibility study on the Leisureland complex in Salthill – aimed at getting the facility to a point of financial self-sufficiency.

The Board of Galway Salthill Fáilte – who run Leisureland on a subsidiary basis for the Galway City Council – have confirmed that there at least five tenders submitted for the feasibility study.

More business for the concert hall, greater all-year round usage of the greenfield site that accommodates the summer amusements, and better marketing of the pool and gym facilities, are expected to feature prominently in the brief for the study.

Over recent years, the Leisureland complex has proven to be a significant drain on the resources on the City Council – a few years back the local authority had to pump in €680,000 to balance the books.

This year, the City Council have ring-fenced a figure of €300,000 to make up for a project shortfall close to that amount – now the push is on to increase revenue generation at the facility.

Chairman of the Leisureland Board, Cllr. Donal Lyons told the Galway City Tribune that over recent years, considerable savings had been made in a number of areas including the installation of a new heat and power plant as well as staff reductions.

“We now feel that we are at the point where we have made all the savings and economies that we can – now we must look at ways of increasing income streams into the complex over the coming years,” said Cllr. Lyons.

He said that a silver lining to emerge from the extensive flood damage caused by the storms of January 2014 was that the facilities had been completely refurbished and were now state of the art.

“There is a very strong feeling amongst Board members that we need to banish any negativity concerning Leisureland.

“We need to get the message out there that this is now truly a magnificent facility both for tourists and the people of Galway.

“We now want to get the contract awarded for this feasibility study over the coming weeks with consultants experienced in this field pointing the way forward for the Leisureland facility,” said Cllr. Lyons.

He added that once the tender contract was awarded, they would then expect the feasibility study to be carried over the coming months . . . a report that would guide the Board as to future policy options.

Repairs at the Leisureland pool and gym complex took almost a year to complete after the January 2014 floods and cost in the region of €4m, paid for through the insurance cover on the premises.

There was an earlier than normal March start to the Curry’s Amusements this year on the greenfield site and they will continue on right through the Summer until the first week in September.