Sports and recreation hall planned at former Limerick swimming pool

THE former swimming pool building at Pallaskenry could be set for a new lease of life with plans to convert it into a sports and recreation hall.

The pool at the Salesian College in the village has been out of use since 2009 due to a faulty roof, and the complex has lain idle since. Prior to this, it was used by generations of youngsters who learned to swim in it.

Now, Rev Patrick Hennessy, of the order, has signalled his intention to apply for permission to transform the site.

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He looks set to seek the green light from Limerick City and County Council to convert the former swimming pool into a sports, recreation and assembly hall.

It will include changing rooms, toilets, a canteen and meeting room.

While Rev Hennessy preferred not to comment, the school principal Keith O’Rahilly says there is positivity around the proposals.

“We are tight on space here in the school, we are tight on gym space. We are also hoping the space might be able to accommodate our agricultural students here on the campus,” he said.

Mr O’Rahilly, who took over as principal in 2023, stressed the plans are at an early stage.

He revealed the restoration of the pool would be too costly and may have meant the establishment of a new business.

“Our main business at the school is education. You could be pulled into a whole other world quickly and it could become a massive distraction again,” he said.

The principal thinks the new building will operate primarily as a function hall.

“It really needs to be loved up again, and brought back into the school,” he added.

Mr O’Rahilly said there is a consciousness around the regard in which the former swimming pool is held.

That is why it will not be filled in, and could potentially be brought back into use as a pool in future.

“We know a lot of people have fond memories of bringing their children here. Even though we are putting a floor over it, we are not filling it in. It would be a suspended floor over it,” he confirmed.

The original pool was built in the 1960s, covered in the 1970s, but closed when structural damage in the roof was found during redecoration.

An effort to re-open the facility back in 2013 came to nothing over costs.