Leisureland charges to rise when pool reopens

Swimming and other local aquatic clubs are facing increased hourly rates to rent out the pool at Leisureland in Salthill when it reopens in December.

Members of the public, who want to use the swimming pool, including groups of schoolchildren, also face increased rates.

The Board of Leisureland were 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 at the start of the year.

Leisureland executive, which includes the general manager and director of services at Galway City Council, has approved increased rates for clubs for pool hire sessions as follows: one pool up from €135 per hour to €148.50; two pools up from €193 to €212.50; and three pools up from €232 to €255.

A €2 per person levy will also be applied to the clubs, on top of the higher rates.

The Board of Leisureland, including City Councillors, voted at a meeting on Friday to freeze the rates of hiring out the facility for when the clubs return in December. The proposed freeze on rates for clubs was rejected by the executive, who can overrule the board.

Meanwhile, it was approved at a previous meeting that the rates paid by the public who wish to use the pool will also be increased when it reopens. For example, an adult fee to use the pool is increasing from €7 to €8; children will now pay €5.50 as opposed to €4.80; and family tickets have increased from €16.60 to €19.

The board signed off on the increased charges for the public but is opposed to the increased charges for clubs. The board unanimously agreed to defer the increase in charges on clubs for at least six months but this was “ignored” by the executive, according to Board chairman, Donal Lyons.

This would be the first increase in charges at the facility since 2001, according to Leisureland executive, which argued that the facility lost some €600,000 last year.

Read more in this week’s Connacht Sentinel