Grant Secured For The Wild Atlantic Pool and Fitness Centre!
The immediate future of The Wild Atlantic Pool and Fitness Centre has been secured following receipt of funding from Cork Sports Partnership (CSP) through the Sport Ireland COVID-19 Return to Sport fund.
The funding is part of a government package to support the ongoing financial and operational recovery of the sports sector following the public health crisis and will ensure the centre has the capacity to make a significant contribution to the public health & social capital of the community post pandemic.
Louise Burke, Sport Ireland Director of Participation, said ‘Sport Ireland is fully committed to supporting the Sports sector to return to full capacity following the pandemic. The support provided to Local Sports Partnerships and National Governing Bodies through the COVID-19 Return to Sport scheme goes some way to acknowledge the contribution of clubs and communities in enabling people in our communities to get and stay active’....
Kristine Meenaghan, Coordinator with CSP said ‘Community facilities like The Wild Atlantic Pool and Fitness Centre who provide opportunities for all ages and abilities to be active are vital to communities like Baltimore and surrounding areas. CSP was delighted to support and submit an application to Sport Ireland to safeguard the future of the facility and we look forward to working with the committee and directors to maximise the impacts from this support.’
The challenges being faced by the pool had been made public through various means, including letters, fundraising events and articles in the press over the past months. Holly Cairns TD and Michael Collins TD both raised the issue in the Dáil on behalf of the centre, citing soaring energy prices which compounded the effects of COVID-19 on the facilities operations. Christopher O’Sullivan TD met with Committee members and arranged an on-line meeting with Jack Chambers, Minister of State for Sport and the Gaeltacht and members of his staff to discuss possible funding streams.
Speaking on behalf of Baltimore Harbour Community Centre, Chairperson, Sekeeta Crowley said ‘The Directors and Committee wish to acknowledge the huge efforts by the community and staff over the last 14 years to keep the centre open. Together we have managed to keep the business going over the last three difficult years. This additional support is a boost to that effort and will facilitate the recovery from the COVID years and enable the development of Wild Atlantic Pool and Fitness Centre facilities to continue its services to Baltimore and surrounding area. All of those connected with The Wild Atlantic Pool would like to thank Cork Sports Partnership and Sport Ireland for their continuing support’.
While the support received will offset some of the initial costs of urgent upgrades to the facility, fundraising efforts will continue to safeguard the future of the facility for generations to come.
edited: Press Release from Cork Sports Partnership 15th March 2023.