Pictured: Sandymount Pool.
Enable Ireland, the organisation that provides free services for people with disabilities and their families, is planning to carry out extensive upgrades to its swimming and hydrotherapy pool facility at the Enable centre in Sandymount.
Improvements will include an extension of the pool, enhanced changing rooms, poolside hoists for wheelchair users, and an energy-saving automatic shower unit.
The work will improve access to the facilities for those with disability, but Enable says that it will also provide an enhanced pool service to the wider community.
The pool is currently open to the public on weekdays and hosts swimming lessons on Saturdays, but when works are completed Enable plan to open the facility to the public seven days a week with extended daily opening hours.
Enable hosted a public meeting in June to inform the community about developments in the pool improvements project, and to raise awareness of the need for fundraising in order to advance the building works.
To date, Enable have raised €150,000 of the estimated €900,000 required to complete the project, and community fundraising initiatives are welcome.
“We are very grateful to the local community for all their support to date and look forward to their continued support as we progress the project,” explained Michele White, Administration Manager of Enable Ireland in the North East/Dublin South Dublin area.
The organisation has recently received planning permission for the proposed building enhancements and, all going to plan, the project will go to tender in August with building commencing in the New Year.
By Harry Bradley
