50-metre pool being considered, say officials

SINCE May, the sports section in the Department of Education has been studying a proposal from the Isle of Man based financier, Mr Albert Gubay, to build a 50 metre, Olympic standard swimming pool at Kilbogget Park in south Co Dublin, the Department has confirmed.

The swimming pool is part of a commercial and recreational package, the details of which were worked out between Mr Guliay and officials of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Under the terms of the deal, Mr Gubay would be allowed to purchase 71/2 acres of Kilbogget Park for just under £1 million and build a 60 to 100 bedroom hotel and fitness centre.

Mr Gubay proposes to build the 50 metre pool at a cost of £6 million, which would be funded by the Department. On completion, the pool would be handed over to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Confirming the existence of the plan yesterday, a spokesman for the Minister of State for Sport, Mr Bernard Allen, said. "The Minister has appointed a sports strategy group, under the chairmanship of John Treacy, to draw up a list of recommendations for future policy on all sports."

According to the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown leas cathaoirleach, Mr Donal Marren, the plan was put together in April and submitted to Mr Allen in May. Mr Marren said yesterday the deal with Mr Gubay "stands or falls on the provision of the 50 metre swimming pool."

"This is what makes it so attractive for us. Under normal circumstances we would never give up one inch of recreational space for a commercial venture, but this is putting recreational and leisure facilities back into the area.

Mr Marren also said that the plan aims to provide a tartan running track, similar to that at UCD's Belfield campus, and rectify subsidence problems on adjacent sports fields.

Holes the size of a car have appeared on the football pitches, and go on appearing as subsidence occurs. Under the deal this would he sorted out. Paths would also be installed."

While the actual 71/2 acre site has yet to be decided, Mr Gubay's negotiators are understood to be anxious to locate opposite the Crazy Prices supermarket, a location close to the N11.

Crazy Prices was formerly a Three Guys store, introduced to this country by Mr Gubay, who later sold out to Tesco. Mr Gubay, supported by Wicklow County Council, is negotiating with the Department of the Marine on plans to build a £50 million marina in Greystones.