Financial report for shut pool sought

Three different sets of financial records, none of which match, have been submitted to Kerry County Council for a recently-closed swimming pool complex in a popular seaside resort, it was revealed yesterday.

As efforts continue to reopen Ballybunion Health and Leisure Centre for the peak July/August season, there have been calls for a full financial report and disclosure of a complete list of creditors.

The council, which underwrote €3.8m in State grants to the troubled centre, is awaiting more detailed information from Bevely Ltd, the company which runs the centre.

County manager Tom Curran told yesterday’s council meeting in Tralee, the “sky-rocketing” cost of energy was a key issue, and a combined heat and power plant, which would save €5,000 per month in energy costs, might offer a solution.

Mr Curran said he was happy enough with the operation of the facility, but wanted to get energy costs down so it could operate on a break-even basis.

The county manager hoped the centre could be opened for July or August, provided the company had a tax clearance certificate and a proper set of accounts.

However, no figure was included in the submitted accounts to show what was owed to creditors and how the money could be repaid.

Saying he wanted a “realistic survival plan”, Mr Curran stressed: “We are in tight economic times and if money is put into this facility [by the council], it will be at a cost to other services.”

It was hoped, he said, to be able to reach a short-term compromise with the company and then work towards a long-term solution.

Bevely Ltd has met Michael Ring, minister of state for tourism and sport, with a view to securing a grant for a combined heat and power plant. However Mr Curran pointed out it was not clear what the implications of such a grant would be for the council.

The centre, which opened in 2007, closed without notice on Apr 23, amid concerns by some elected members the council could be liable for a €3.8m grant from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism to the centre.

Cllr Breda Moynihan Cronin (Lab) said the council should be prudent in the way it spent tax-payers’ money and called for a complete review of the centre’s viability.

Ballybunion-based Cllr Robert Beasley (SF) urged the council to continue with its efforts to have the facility open for the peak summer months.

Built on a three-acre site leased from the council, the centre includes a 20m pool and gym and is used by locals and tourists.