Works have started on Limerick swimming pool upgrades

WORKS have started to upgrade a pool and leisure centre in County Limerick, which closed 16 months ago. 

Askeaton swimming pool and leisure centre closed on March 16, 2023, with the promise of being open again within 12 months. 

The energy upgrade and associated flood defence work have now started. 

The works by Martins Construction Ltd will include upgrading the plant room, replacing mechanical and electrical equipment and installing an energy efficient heating system, along with minor capital works. 

This will minimise any future risk of the pool closing again, due to flooding and will also reduce operational costs day to day. 

The leisure centre is owned by Askeaton Pool and Leisure DAC, the shareholders of which are Limerick City and County Council and Askeaton Swimming Club. The facility includes a 25m swimming pool, a children’s pool, changing village, sauna and gym. 

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It is anticipated that the works will be completed in early 2025, enabling the reopening of this popular West Limerick sport and recreational facility to the public.

Limerick City and County Council have been awarded grants of just over €1.26 million from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, under the Large Scale Sports Capital Programme in the amounts of €619,091 (December 2023) and €646,659 (Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) 2021. The council has committed to meeting the balance of funds from its own resources.

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran said: “I look forward to visiting to review progress on my next trip to Askeaton. The re-opening of the centre, will enable the citizens of West Limerick and the wider region to participate in a range of recreational and water-based activities, thus promoting health and wellbeing within the entire community.”