Killarney Attractions

New mayor wants Killarney to become the new Mosney

KILLARNEY could become the new Mosney if locals put some effort into building and perfecting sports facilities in the area, according to Tom Doherty who will be elected mayor of the town next Monday.But confusion is clouding the waters when it comes to advancing the swimming and sports complex planned for the town, he warned.Many don’t understand the full potential of the planned Killarney Sports and Leisure project, according to Cllr Doherty.“I believe many people are getting mixed up – when I talk to people on the street, they seem to it’s simply a pool rather than a dry centre.What it is, in fact, is a sports complex offering both dry and wet facilities,” Cllr Doherty told The Kingdom. A comprehensive new sports complex could put Killarney in the running as a host for major national and international events, he believes.“One good example is if the Community Games needed a new home Killarney could become the new Mosney. It could link up with Castleisland which has a fine running track.“We also have plenty of soccer and Gaelic football pitches and the Community Games would be a prime example of the events we could attract.“Killarney could also attract national and international wheelchair sporting events as Ireland has a proud tradition in world and Olympic wheelchair games,” Cllr Doherty said.It has been decided to readvertise to procure a tender for the complex that will be more in line with the approved budget for the project.Town Clerk Michael O’Leary said: “We have commenced a new process under the accelerated negotiated procedure but it is anticipated that this process will still take two months.”The breakdown of capital costs between the wet and dry elements of the project seem to be causing some confusion, he added.At present costing if a dry facility only were to be provided the gross cost would be €7.7 million. Grants and donations would come to €1.5m, which would leave a net cost to the council of €6.2m.If the wet facility were to be added, the gross cost would be €4.2m, while the grant would be €4m, making the net cost €200,000.If a dry-only facility were to be provided the full cost of areas like officers, public toilets, sauna and steam room etc would have to be carried entirely by the dry side, Mr O’Leary pointed out. Cllr Doherty said the project has come in for some unfair criticism.“Some people in press are comparing it to the Jeanie Johnston but I would compare it to the famous voyage of St Brendan,” he said. “With an ever-increasing senior generation such a sports facility can only be of benefit to these members of the community. The project will be run as a business,” he added.“Everyone knows that pools don’t make a profit but a private company has offered to run the dry and wet facility as one unit. If a private venture is willing to take over the running of the sports complex it would be run as a business by business people and the goal is to make a profit,” said Cllr Doherty.

The Kingdom newspaper