Sligo County Council have responded to criticism of a newly erected bathing shelter in Mullaghmore which has been described by one resident as “an utter waste of public money.”
Earlier this year it was confirmed that €25,000 had been allocated for shelters in Mullaghmore and Dunmoran as part of a €330,000 Healthy Ireland fund for outdoor swimming facilities across the country with the shelters put in place in both locations in recent weeks.
In reply to some concerns expressed locally, Sligo County Council said it continues to actively support opportunities to increase participation in sport and outdoor physical activity.
“Working with our partner agency Sligo Sports and Recreation Partnership Council we have progressed the development of outdoor shelter structures using funding provided under Outdoor Swimming Infrastructure grants through Swim Ireland.
“The location of the Mullaghmore shelter was established following consultation with Mullaghmore Active.
“The decision on the location took cognisance of the diverse range of existing site constraints including bio-diversity, heritage and environmental constraints, disability access requirements, public safety requirements and accessibility for construction plant and materials.
“Sligo is blessed with an incredible variety of seas, lakes, and rivers, offering stunning locations for outdoor swimming.
“The provision of outdoor shelter facilities encourages greater participation in outdoor activities and promotes the health and wellbeing of our communities.”
While there have been many calls in recent years for facilities at the county’s beaches to be improved, Mullaghmore resident Martina Butler expressed her dismay at the new structure which she feels is out of place, in the wrong location and visually detracts from the natural beauty of the area.
Ms Butler also expressed the view that the shelter is visually unappealing and describing it as “a massive, ugly, stark, concrete, so-called shelter.
She also expressed the view that the location of the shelter is not suitable for people who require wheelchair.
– Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.