Leisureland could be closed for months, as another storm looms

 Galway is bracing itself for another ferocious storm and tidal battering over a 24 hour period from tonight, with gusts of over 80mph predicted, accompanied by the highest tides of recent months.

 Thousands of sandbags have been put in place in the Spanish Arch and Prom areas as vulnerable businesses and households batten up the hatches, following the issuing of an orange weather warning by Met Éireann yesterday.

The peak flooding threat will probably be just before 6am on Saturday when a 5.7 metre high tide (17.7 feet) will strike the city’s coastline, coinciding with wind speeds of over 80mph.

However what have been described as ‘perfect storm’ conditions could give tides of up to 10 metres (33 feet) in places due to the new moon, very low pressure, heavy rains and storm force gusts.

Meanwhile, it could yet take weeks or even months before the swimming pool and gym at the Leisureland complex in Salthill reopen as experts continue to assess the impact of the worst storm damage in decades.

Fresh concerns arose this week over the impact which sea water had on tiles and grouting at the 25 metre pool during the worst flooding experienced in the 41-year history of the building.

Experts had hoped to give a timeframe for the reopening of the pool and gym to the Board of Leisureland today (Friday), but the new concerns have further delayed hopes of returning to business as usual at the complex.

Sea water was only drained from the pool on Wednesday of last week and experts are now awaiting the outcome of tests on the impact which the salt water had on the tiles and grouting in the area.

If it is found that the tiles need to be replaced, the final cost of repairing the damage could vastly exceed the initial estimate of €500,000 – and it could take months before the pool reopens for business.

“The impact which the salt water had on the tiles is a major concern and, while they are awaiting the outcome of these tests, the experts have been unable to give us a timeframe,” said Cllr Donal Lyons (Independent), Chairman of the Leisureland Board, yesterday.

Read more in today’s Galway City Tribune