Calls for new Kildare swimming pool face funding and planning hurdles
Photo for illustrative purposes only
ONCE again, a motion to deliver a public swimming pool for Newbridge was brought before the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, highlighting both local demand and significant funding challenges.
Cllr Tom McDonnell tabled the motion calling on Kildare County Council to build a dedicated swimming pool for Newbridge.
According to the council’s response, swimming pools represent “extremely large-scale capital projects” requiring substantial levels of public investment.
Analysis by Swim Ireland, published in December 2025, indicates that swimming facilities typically serve wide population catchments, often extending beyond individual towns, with users frequently travelling across county boundaries to access pools.
The report also noted that usage of any future facility could not be restricted solely to Newbridge residents.
While public pools play an important role in accessibility and affordability, particularly for swimming lessons, the council stated that other areas of Kildare are currently more under-provisioned in terms of swimming facilities.
Councillors were informed that the reopening of the Curragh Pool for use by schools and community groups is a positive development that will help meet some local demand.
In addition, the Newbridge Settlement Plan, adopted in February 2026, includes an objective to deliver a public swimming pool as part of the redevelopment of the former Machinery Yard site.
If that site proves unfeasible, alternative lands in the Newbridge North Key Development Area may be considered.
Despite these long-term objectives, the council confirmed that there is currently no funding available to progress a study or development of a swimming pool in the Newbridge area.
The Municipal District’s Capital Programme for 2026–2028 already includes more than 20 projects with some level of funding, along with a further seven projects awaiting future investment.
At national level, the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), which would be the primary source of funding for a project of this scale, is currently closed. No timeline has yet been announced for the next round of funding.
The Minister for Sport stated in March 2026 that the department’s focus remains on delivering projects approved under earlier rounds of the scheme.
