Kildare site ruled unsuitable for swimming pool

THE SEARCH for an appropriate swimming pool venue for Newbridge continues, after the council ruled the former Machinery Yard in Newbridge unsuitable for a public swimming pool due to the building not meeting standard space requirements.

The issue was raised by cllr Chris Pender at last week's meeting of the Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District, who asked whether a swimming pool at the site was included in, or being considered as part of, any funding application for the Newbridge Central Settlement Consolidation Site (SCS).

He also sought clarification on the next steps required to progress a swimming pool project for the area.

In its response, the council said research undertaken as part of work on the North Kildare Pool project had provided a clearer understanding of the space and site requirements for a public swimming pool, including ancillary buildings and services, as well as the scale of costs involved.

“With this in mind, it is apparent that the Machinery Yard is not suitable as a location for such a facility,” the council stated.

However, the possibility of a swimming pool in the wider area has not been ruled out.

The Newbridge Settlement Plan specifically provides that, if a swimming pool at the former Machinery Yard is not feasible, consideration should be given to lands within the Newbridge North Key Development Area, which have been zoned specifically for open space and amenity.

However, the council further confirmed that a swimming pool for the area is not currently included in its Capital Programme. 

As a result, the council does not currently have funding within its existing resources to progress a study into a swimming pool for the district.

The council said the 2026-2028 Capital Programme contains more than 20 capital projects that have received some funding to initiate, along with a further seven projects listed as being “subject to future funding”.

Future investment decisions will also be informed by the forthcoming County Kildare Active Recreation Infrastructure Study. The study will examine existing recreation provision in towns across Kildare and assess projected requirements up to 2040 based on population trends.

According to the council, the findings will “strongly inform” future capital programmes relating to swimming pools as well as social and community infrastructure more generally.

Meanwhile, work is progressing on plans for the former Machinery Yard and the wider Newbridge Central Settlement Consolidation Site.

The council’s Land Activation Office is currently at the remediation planning stage for the Machinery Yard, while the overall Newbridge SCS is at the masterplan stage.

Tenders for both projects are expected to be issued before the end of 2026. However, the council confirmed that both projects remain unfunded at present.

While the Machinery Yard itself is now considered unsuitable for a swimming pool, the council noted that the provision in the Newbridge Settlement Plan allowing consideration of the adjacent lands remains in place.

Any future progress on a swimming pool for the town will depend on the outcome of wider recreation planning, the identification of a suitable site and the availability of funding.

Funded by Local Democracy Reporting Scheme