'Location not yet chosen' for Shannon swimming pool in Athlone
A new outdoor swimming pool on the River Shannon is being proposed by the council as a "flagship attraction" for Athlone - but the specific location for it has not yet been identified.
The pool proposal has been mooted for a number of years now, but some concerns were raised locally about design images which showed it located next to The Strand and close to Flynn's Funeral Home.
A summary of the new Athlone Urban Design and Regeneration Framework Plan includes the swimming pool, describing it as "an ambitious project that seeks to positively activate Athlone's waterfront and in turn enhance town centre activity".
However, Lorraine Middleton, executive planner with Westmeath County Council, stressed that there was no fixed location for it at this stage.
"I know in the past there were concerns, from the public and businesses, that this (design) image purported to show that the location of the pool had been identified. It has not been identified. It is not intended to locate it here. This is a concept image only.
"The proposal has gone forward to tender for site selection, which will be identified based on the optimum swimming location that will not affect navigation of the river and protect the amenity."
Ms Middleton added that the Shannon waterfront was an asset which "Athlone really needs to capitalise on" in the years ahead.
Cllr John Dolan said it was important to reiterate that no decision had been made on the swimming pool's location.
"I can see merit in (the pool concept), but for where it was proposed originally, I'd say no way," Clr Dolan stated. "No-one is against the swimming pool idea, but I think down near Burgess Park would be a better location."
Cllr Dolan added that there was "a lot of angst" about a proposal to develop a boardwalk alongside the eastern bank of the Shannon in Athlone.
"There's a lot of fear out there about the boardwalk, and I wouldn't be happy unless the local residents were happy. When you're doing work like this you have the respect the people who have been living there for years," he said.
Ms Middleton said there were some examples nationally of waterfront developments making a positive contribution to towns, and Athlone could learn from those examples.