All councillors at the most recent Dungarvan/Lismore district meeting of Waterford City and County Council have unanimously backed a motion calling for funding for a public swimming pool in Dungarvan.
Fine Gael Councillor Pat Nugent proposed the motion, which highlighted the long-standing absence of a public swimming facility in Dungarvan and across West Waterford. Despite repeated discussions over many years, the area still has no publicly accessible pool.
Gap in Essential Infrastructure
Councillors heard that Dungarvan currently has no public pool serving schools, clubs, families, older people, or people with disabilities.
The motion stated that reliance on hotel swimming pools does not meet community needs, as those facilities remain largely unavailable for public use and exclude schools, structured programmes, and pay-as-you-go access.
Councillor Nugent described swimming as one of the most inclusive forms of physical activity, supporting physical health, rehabilitation, and mental well-being across all age groups. He said investment in a public pool represents an investment in preventative healthcare rather than optional leisure.
Year-Round Access and Water Safety Highlighted
The motion called for a 25-metre indoor swimming pool to provide year-round access, particularly during winter months when outdoor exercise options remain limited.
Councillors agreed that consistent access is essential to deliver long-term health benefits at a population level.
Members also raised concerns about water safety. Dungarvan sits in a coastal county with rivers and beaches, yet many children must travel long distances to learn how to swim.
Councillors said the lack of a local pool restricts schools’ ability to deliver swimming as part of the curriculum and limits access to vital water safety and lifesaving skills.
Social, Economic and Tourism Benefits Outlined
Councillors said a public swimming pool would act as shared community infrastructure and provide a safe, supervised space for families, older residents, and community groups.
They said facilities of this kind strengthen social inclusion, community connection, and overall quality of life.
Independent Councillor Donnchadh Mulcahy supported the motion and said Dungarvan, as the capital of West Waterford and a growing tourism hub, stands out as one of the largest towns in the south east without a modern public swimming pool.
Adding that a pool would also deliver economic benefits by creating local jobs, supporting tourism, and reducing the need for residents to travel to other towns for basic services.
Call for Action After Years of Inaction
Councillors agreed that the case for a public swimming pool in Dungarvan is clear and well-evidenced.
While proposals have circulated for many years, councillors stressed that the unanimous vote sends a strong signal that the project now requires funding and meaningful progress.
The council will now formally call on the relevant authorities to advance the proposal and move the long-awaited project beyond discussion and into delivery.
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