Midleton could get outdoor lido as population growth puts pressure on sports facilities

A councillor says strong demand for outdoor swimming could justify a feasibility study as Midleton’s population continues to grow

Senior Cork County Council officials are currently undertaking a review of council-run swimming pools in the region. File picture

Residents in an East Cork town which is set to become the largest town in Co Cork may have to settle for an outdoor ‘lido’ swimming pool instead of an indoor leisure centre.

The population of Midleton is set to grow rapidly in the next few years, and it may not be long before it overtakes Carrigaline as the county’s largest town.

People in Midleton are becoming increasingly concerned that the sporting and recreational infrastructure in the town will not keep up with projected population increases, and a number of sports organisations have lobbied the county council on the issue.

Top of the agenda is a leisure centre, but indications from some council officials in the area have not been positive.

Senior Cork County Council officials are currently undertaking a review of council-run swimming pools in the region.

There are currently five of them under the control of the local authority – in Cobh, Youghal, Fermoy, Mallow and Dunmanway.

Council officials have previously said that the proximity of the leisure centres in Cobh and Youghal should meet Midleton’s needs.

On foot of this, Fianna Fáil councillor Ann Marie Ahern, who runs a successful auctioneering business in Midleton, is to ask council officials to look at an alternative.

At next month’s East Cork Municipal District Council meeting on September 7, she has tabled a motion asking officials to look at developing an outdoor lido, similar to the very popular one in Carrignavar.

‘A great asset for East Cork’

“Recently an excellent initiative, in conjunction with Midleton College, Cork County Council, Cork Sports Partnership and Swim Ireland was brought to the Midleton area. It brought the very popular “Swimmin’ Women” programme to Midleton College outdoor pool which was fully booked out in its pilot programme in Midleton,” Ms Ahern said.

“This was a great initiative in Midleton and thankfully the weather has stayed suitable for it. I have a motion submitted for September’s municipal district council meeting following months of engaging with the local Municipal District Office to see if there could be progression for an outdoor lido similar to the Carrignavar one that can be introduced in the Midleton area,” she said.

“Currently we have no public swimming pool in Midleton but given the interest achieved in this event, it warrants a feasibility study to see if there is scope for a project like this. While there is a call for an indoor swimming pool, the introduction of a lido pool would be a great asset for East Cork area,” Ms Ahern added.