A children’s leaner swimming pool is to be included in the development plan for Lahinch SeaWorld.
In December 2019, Lahinch SeaWorld closed to allow a refurbishment of the facility to take place with a contractor appointed in the second half of 2020.
On Tuesday, the Board of Lahinch SeaWorld confirmed that a new children’s learner pool will be included in the €5.8m development. Other aspects include universally accessible facilities with toilets, changing facilities and pool hoist to support users with mobility challenges, a 25m pool designed to competition standard, a new front facing landmark as part of a two storey glazed structure that includes a gym, a new jacuzzi, sauna and steam, refurbished changing rooms and an ‘A-rated’ renewable energy heating system.
Referring to criticism and disappointment last year when the learner’s swimming pool was not in the plans, the Board stated, “nobody, was more disappointed than the members of our board. But it would have been reckless of us to include aspects which we could not show we could fund”.
According to a spokesperson for the Board, “very significant funding from two incredibly supportive philanthropic funds”, ongoing local fundraisers and support from Clare County Council has allowed for the addition of the learner swimming pool into the plans. “The Covid 19 Pandemic has left a devastating impact on our society & economy, but the closure of construction for the first four months of 2021, created a necessary window of opportunity for us to continue to explore every possible source of additional funding”.
Early 2022 has been set as the target for the reopening of the Lahinch facility in what the Board have described as a “once in a generation refurbishment” that brought with it “enormous” costs.
