Leisureland board’s quit threat over price hike

The board of Leisureland could resign ‘en masse’ if proposals to increase charges for clubs are rammed through by the executive, it was warned this week.

The Chief Executive of Galway City Council, Brendan McGrath, has been advised that board members of Leisureland could resign if their concerns regarding increased charges continue to be ignored.

The Board of Leisureland was overruled by the executive of the facility which has indicated it will plough on with increased charges for clubs as of December, when it reopens following storm damage.

The board members all agreed that charges for aquatic clubs should remain at the levels they were before the closure of the swimming pool in January. They agreed to defer the increased charges for at least six months when it would be reviewed again.

The executive, however, has indicated that it is increasing the cost of using the facility as of December. The executive includes the relevant director of services at Galway City Council and manager of the facility.

Ahead of another crunch meeting on the controversial charges this week, City Councillor Niall McNelis (Labour) says he will resign from the board if the wishes of its members are ignored by the executive.

“What’s the point in having a board, if we come to a decision on something and we’re just over-ruled? Why would you be on a board that is ignored? During the recent local election, time and again people complained to me about Leisureland. I wasn’t on the board at the time but even now that I am it seems I have no say because the executive is just ignoring our wishes. In fairness to the board members, we were united on this but we have been over-ruled.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.