The public have been invited to have an input into the future direction of the Leisureland facility in Salthill at a consultation session this week.
Last July, consultants were appointed to carry out a feasibility study on the complex with a focus on making greater use of the hall facility and the greenfield area of the site.
The open consultation evening takes place at the Inishmore Suite of the Galway Bay Hotel on Thursday from 4pm to 7pm.
Earlier that day, the consultants drawing up the report – UK company SLC (Sport Leisure Culture) – will meet with city councillors, swimming representatives and member of the Salthill business community, to get their views on the facility.
Chairman of the Leisureland Board, Cllr Donal Lyons, told the Galway City Tribune that Thursday’s day of consultation is an important part of the process involved in the assessment of the facility.
“We want to throw this open to both the public and the parties with a direct involvement in the Leisureland facility. The more diversity of views and opinions we get the better,” said Cllr Lyons.
He said that as things stood, the facilities at Leisureland Pool and the gym, were state-of-the-art following their revamp in the wake of the flooding crisis in early 2014.
“From a financial perspective, the aim is to be running Leisureland at a break-even figure or very, very close to it, over the coming years.
“In the past Leisureland did suffer financial losses that had to be borne by the City Council. Going forward we want to realise the full potential of the facility and we want it to be self-sufficient,” said Cllr. Lyons.
During one of its bleaker financial years, the City Council had to subvent the Leisureland complex to the tune of €680,000 and this year the subsidy is running at €350,000. Next year it will be down to €300,000.
For members of the public, who wish to make their views known on Leisureland and who cannot go to the Galway Bay Hotel open evening, an online survey will also be available from Thursday, October 6-16.
The survey can be accessed on the City Council website on: galwaycity.ie or on the Leisureland website at: leisureland.ie
Tom Connell, City Council Director of Services, told the Galway City Tribune that the consultants had two main briefs – to look at the current running of the facility and to examine the future usage of the adjacent site.
“We would hope to have the consultants’ report by this side of Christmas and this should put us in a position of knowledge when we sit down and plan ahead for the future of the facility,” said Tom Connell.