New site identified for Edenderry Swimming Pool

Offaly County Council has identified a site for the new Edenderry Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre.

In November 2024 an allocation of €8.9 million was announced for the swimming pool project as part of the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).

The location of the proposed development is on a former OPW site which was purchased by Offaly County Council in 2022. The unused site forms part of the Blundell Masterplan in the heart of Edenderry town.

Speaking today, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Councillor John Leahy said, ''I am delighted for the town of Edenderry with the previous announcement of the LSSIF funding and I would like to thank the Minister, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, the existing Edenderry Swimming Pool Committee, Offaly County Council Regeneration and Municipal District staff for their efforts with this project to date.

The site of the proposed Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre will allow it to knit into the urban grain of the town centre and result in an excellent amenity for the people of Edenderry and the surrounding areas.''

Councillor Noel Cribbin, who is a member of Edenderry Swimming Pool Committee said, ''The allocation of €8.9 million as part of the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) announced in November 2024, was excellent news for the town of Edenderry. The previous pool (now closed & demolished due to fire damage in January 2024), located on Carrick Road, had been in operation since the early 1970 and provided an excellent service to the people of Edenderry and the wider community. This LSSIF funding, in conjunction with

Offaly County Council’s purchase of this site in 2022, will facilitate the development of a new, modern facility to cater for the increasing demand and to provide a more efficient and practical operation.''

The Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Anna Marie Delaney said ''This will be a premier facility located in Edenderry, serving County Offaly and the wider region, providing a state-of-the-art swimming facility at a national level. The site purchased for the swimming pool by Offaly County Council in 2022 was identified because of its strategic location and its potential to transform and enhance the vitality of the town.''

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Offaly County Council’s Director of Services for Edenderry Municipal District, Andrew Murray, welcomed the project’s progress and noted ''Like the residents of Edenderry, those from the large area around the town and the pool committee who ran the old pool so expertly, I was devastated when the pool was extensively damaged by fire. However today marks a very important day in our progress to develop a best in class replacement on a brand new site which will serve the area for many years to come.''

Edenderry Swimming Pool Project Steering Group are currently in the process of procuring an Architect-led Integrated Design Team to develop a new competition-standard swimming pool and fitness centre for Edenderry. The design brief for this project includes integration with Blundell Master Plan and surrounding amenities, a competition standard swimming pool and separate early learning pool, hydrotherapy zone, gym, multi-use space and associated changing and support facilities.