€1m sports complex loan cleared

CORK City Council has cleared a €1 million interest-free loan to expand a flagship publicly-owned pool and gym complex.

Councillors voted to ratify the loan for Leisureworld after assurances from city manager Joe Gavin that the company is in a position to repay the loan in equal instalments over the next 10 years.

He said revenues generated from the enhanced facilities will cover the costs.

Mr Gavin also said that when the loan is repaid, the new assets will be handed over to the city at no cost.

The loan paves the way for a major €1.6m expansion of the award-winning Leisureworld facility in Bishopstown, which catered for 500,000 customers last year.

Leisureworld will fund the balance of the project itself.

It is planning to extend the present gym by 296sq m to offer a complete range of cardiovascular and resistance equipment to its customers.

Leisureworld, which also manages the Churcfield facility, the Sam Allen sports complex, and Mahon Golf Club, employs 60 staff at Bishopstown who work out of just one office at the complex.

The expansion will include four new offices.

Leisureworld Bishopstown opened in February 1997 with a 25m swimming pool, a children’s learner pool, a gym, aerobics room, sauna, steamroom and associated changing facilities.

A second 18m-pool was added in 2002, the gym has expanded twice, four all-weather pitches have been added as well as a café and extended changing facilities.

Councillors heard on Monday that the Churchfield complex, which was criticised for its pricing structure by Socialist Party Cllr Mick Barry around the time it opened, attracted 300,000 customers last year.