The management and board of directors of a multimillion-euro State-funded pool and leisure centre in Ballybunion, Co Kerry, which closed unexpectedly a week ago, and which has been massively underwritten by the county council, have apologised to members, staff and suppliers.
A statement on behalf of Bevely Ltd, the company running the Ballybunion Health and Leisure Centre, said it was making every effort to reopen the centre. A notice placed on the door of the centre on Monday said it was closed due to a power cut.
The €5 million centre was enthusiastically backed by former tourism minister John O’Donoghue. He officially opened the centre in May 2007.
Among its most enthusiastic campaigners and fundraisers as far back as 2004 was Jimmy Deenihan TD, who is now Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. He pressed the need for the centre to go to tender in 2004 in the Dáil.
Sources indicate that Mr Deenihan is to be approached.
In 2005 the county council agreed to underwrite grants of almost €4 million from the local authority swimming pool programme and sports capital grants from the Department of Arts Sport and Tourism.