Efforts to secure leisure centre

EFFORTS are underway to ensure the troubled Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre remains in operation.

In a statement yesterday, Killarney Town Council indicated its “full intention” to keep the €16 million centre open, saying it was examining all options in order to achieve that.

Earlier this week, Aura Sport and Leisure Management, which has been running the centre, made a shock decision to withdraw from the facility which includes a 25-metre swimming pool, gym and sports hall.

The company said it was pulling out, on September 22, because of difficult trading conditions, the council’s refusal to underwrite projected losses and competition from Killarney hotels with similar indoor facilities.

It is understood losses were estimated to be in the region of €300,000, mainly arising from the operation of the swimming pool. The centre has been open for more than a year.

In its statement, the council said it regretted the circumstances whereby Aura felt they could no longer operate the facility.

“Killarney Town Council has worked with Aura over the past number of months to try and overcome any issues and will continue to work with them to ensure the continued smooth operation and handover of the facility,” the statement added.

The council is now seeking another management company to run the centre and use all its facilities, including the pool.

Senior management had issued warnings, in the past, that the pool element of the centre might not pay its way and could become a long-term, financial liability to the council.

Also, some town councillors had called for a “dry centre” to go ahead without the pool, but were outvoted.

Up to 24 people are employed in the centre and there are fears for their jobs. The centre is located on a site donated by Kerry County Council on the Killarney bypass.