Old swimming pool in Mayo may be sold to soccer club for €100
The former swimming pool closed in 2019.
There are plans to sell the old swimming pool in Castlebar to a local soccer club for just €100.
The proposal was made at a meeting of Castlebar Municipal District. A second motion said the potential cost of the replacement of an asbestos roof should be borne by Mayo County Council.
Fine Gael Cllr Cyril Burke asked the council to consider selling the old swimming pool to Castlebar Celtic for the nominal fee of €100. He said the club is celebrating its centenary year and its current facilities are struggling to cater for its 26 teams and more than 1,000 members.
Cllr Burke said the former pool is "lying idle" and the soccer club deserves the facility for the incredible work it does for the community.
He said an entrance and car parking should also be provided as part of any deal to enable the facilities to function properly.
Cllr Burke’s proposal was seconded by party colleague, Cllr Ger Deere.
“This is an absolute no-brainer,” he stated.
He said Castlebar Celtic has embraced Castlebar’s immigrant community and provides an invaluable service to the county town.
“We will have failed future generations if we not support this,” Cllr Deere remarked. “It’s a golden opportunity."
A second proposal by Cllr Michael Kilcoyne and Cllr Blackie Gavin called for the site to be sold to Celtic for a nominal amount and that safety measures are carried out prior to the sale, including the safe disposal of any asbestos on site.
Cllr Kilcoyne told the meeting that if a sale proves problematic a long-term lease could be arranged.
He said the proposal would ultimately have to approved by Mayo County Council.
“It’s a club that has really looked after young people,” said Cllr Kilcoyne in reference to Castlebar Celtic.
David Mellett, head of Castlebar Municipal District, said the asbestos issue would have to be examined and could prove to be very costly.
