Lucan Pool Progress July to December 2025

Rolling updates have been going on since 2022. Click here for the previous update March-June 2025.

Cllr Helen Farrell and I will be updating further as more news becomes available.

2nd December 2025 - Is there a tiny light at the end of the tunnel?

I attended a briefing for TDs at SDCC offices yesterday (fuller report later) and attached below is the reply I received on Lucan Pool, which is similar to that received by Cllr Helen Farrell last week. It mentions Q1, 2026 for completion. We've seen deadlines come and go before, but what is interesting about this one is that it is the first since the new contractor was appointed to finish the works and comes after a long period where SDCC actually stopped bothering to give timelines. And also, I was told by one official in the know that the current contractor appears to be working at a good pace, not something we've heard before.

Allowing for slippages, it's now quite feasible that the "12th of Never" might end up being close to the 12th of April 2026, or soon after. As ever we will keep querying.

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28th November - New contractor in situ but further delays due to defective works. Meanwhile Government ignores calls for inquiry in Dáil.

"This is something that the Department will keep a close eye on" was the response from the Minister - but the Government won't support an immediate inquiry into Lucan Swimming Pool debacle either. Both Helen and I have raised it before and after the contractor left and the only answer from SDCC is that they will carry out a full investigation when the entire project is completed. We have exhausted all avenues and have no choice but to wait until after the completed project for an inquiry and I hope it is a transparent one.

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28th November - Report sent to Cllr Helen Farrell from SDCC re delay:

“Since the most recent capital update to Councillors in October, we have appointed a new contractor to manage the remaining works at Lucan Leisure Centre.  Since the termination of the previous main contractor, a number of issues of defective works have been identified on the pool side, relating inter alia to building envelope completions, internal wall and floor completions, drainage systems, roof completions, window completions, external finishes, and mechanical and electrical installations.  The new contractor had been working in an interim capacity already to continue snagging and have progressed works where possible and progress is accelerating, with all critical sub-contractors either back on site or are scheduled to come in when they are required in the coming weeks, while external landscaping and tree planting have also been completed.

”It was intended that the pool would be filled this month to allow commissioning of the pool water systems, but this has been delayed due to the knock-on effect of the issues outlined above which has impacted completion of the air handling plant and pool water treatment systems.

“The main items requiring completion and/or commissioning are the air handling plant (which influences pool filling), sound system controls and operation, Building Management System, some walls/ceilings, changing area fit-out, pool water treatment systems, moveable pool floor, and paths and paving to the rear of the building.  The path to completion is mapped out for all these remaining items and are being actively managed and co-ordinated by the contractor, the external consultant team and our own architects team with the intention of handing over the facility to the operator in Q1 2026.

“We have received very strong usage stats for the gym and facilities that are open for October with 11,513 visits by members and 399 visits by Pay As You Go members for the month.“

Meanwhile, as per video above, the Government is ignoring calls for an inquiry up to the point of termination of the last contractor. As with SDCC’s refusal this is disappointing given that part of the money for the pool came directly from national channels.

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21st October 2025 - Tender process expected to begin this week

SDCC confirmed that the tender process was due to begin shortly. See answer of 26th September below regarding rationale for retender etc.

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13th October 2025 - Report from CEO at monthly Council meeting

From Helen: SDCC Chief Executive Colm Ward reported just now at the October Council meeting that works are "proceeding well" with the subcontractors that are in place in Lucan Leisure Campus, in terms of the pool side of things.

However, he still did not give a firm opening date for the pool yet, but committed to updating Councillors at future meetings. I will keep people informed on this.

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26th September - Response to query regarding rationale and length of time for retender process

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23rd September - SDCC again ignores motions calling for enquiry into delays

Having previously refused a call for an enquiry by Paul Gogarty as a Cllr in 2023 due to the contract being “live”, SDCC has again declined the opportunity for a transparent review, even though the previous contractor has now left the project.

Cllr Helen Farrell tabled a motion along with two other Lucan Councillors and SDCC’s reply was similar in each case:

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11th September 2025 - SECC refuses to budge on car park peak time barrier

We’ve received several videos over a period of days from a local resident and parent showing that the leisure centre car park has ample capacity during school times.

I added this information to a query asking why parents dropping children off to local schools face a barrier at the leisure centre at school hours when they previously had use of this public space.

This was the response.

Not sure I agree. When the pool is finally open we might see the sense of this, but equally are the Council suggesting parents drive in and out of estates like Ash Park instead? I’m all for public transport, walking and cycling but the Gaelscoileanna especially have a wide catchment area of students.

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6th September 2025 - Report by Helen on car park

🚗 Griffeen Park Car Park – Update on Access at Lucan Leisure Campus

I’ve spoken directly with senior management in SDCC about the recent issues at the car park beside Lucan Leisure Campus.

✅ SDCC confirmed that no Aura security personnel or restrictive signage will be placed by Aura at the entrance again. SDCC confirmed that there will be no parking charges in the car park.

🔐 However, under the licence agreement, the car park is considered part of the overall Lucan Leisure “campus” and is being operated by Aura Leisure on behalf of SDCC. They have agreed between themselves that the barriers will be lowered for 30 minutes each morning during school drop-off times, to deter parents from using the car park as a drop-off point. They say that they have safety concerns about the use of the car park for drop off and that it is not suitable.

If you need to access the car park during that time, you’ll have to buzz Aura for entry — but SDCC couldn’t explain how access will be assessed! Users of the playground, park, pitches, Naíonra, Esker Boxing Club and gym are allowed in, but even cars queuing to buzz in the barrier at this busy spot at drop-off time will be a huge issue. I’ve told them that I believe this setup will be unworkable and will likely cause further traffic congestion.

📢 SDCC says they’ll trial it for a few weeks and review. They also confirmed the entrance is being widened to improve access - just not for drop-off of children at GSER.

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22nd August - Major Update by SDCC on Lucan Leisure Campus as Main Contractor Removed

Communication from SDCC as posted by Helen today:

“The main contractor has been officially removed from the project as of this morning. While this decision wasn’t taken lightly, it allows SDCC to ensure greater transparency and control moving forward.”

✅ A security team is now in place to monitor the site

✅ An interim contractor has been appointed to continue works

✅ SDCC are facilitating progress with other contractors already working directly with them

✅ A new main contractor will be selected through the proper procurement process

Works outstanding still include water filtration, accessibility lift installation and the moveable floor. We’ve been told for years that hanging on with the main contractor was cheaper and faster than re-tendering. Obviously things just have got to a very bad stage if SDCC has to retender for a main contractor and appoint an interim one also.

The procurement process timeline does not bode well for a fast completion. It does also beg the question as to how long SDCC management can hold off on much delayed transparency and accountability about the whole mess of a project to date.

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20th August - clarification re car park

SDCC has clarified that there will be no charge to use the car park, although exact allocations of spaces are still to be ascertained. We’ve queried the narrow entrance lane as raised by residents.

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3rd August Gym now open

The dry side of the gym is open and the café should be up and running by mid to end August. Still no information on delay to dry works.

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18th July - Major Update -

18th July - Major Update on Lucan Leisure Campus (gym and pool) by Paul Gogarty TD and Councillor Helen Farrell - Public tours of gym area available from next Tuesday and memberships go live at 12pm (SDCC told us Monday but Aura said Tuesday subsequently)

This report contains the latest reply from SDCC to query by Paul and a comprehensive update from today’s Lucan Leisure Campus tour for all Councillors, by Helen.

Completion of Certification and handover of dry side to Aura:

Validation for the dry side of the building and associated external works was achieved on Monday 14th July. The dry side of the building was handed over to Aura today July 18th, 2025.

Opening date of Gym by Aura:

Aura are starting public tours from Tues July 22nd 2025 from 12pm – 8pm for visiting. Full opening is likely in about a fortnight’s time but Aura are now open for joining, with a reduced rate in place until the pool opens in a few months’ time.

Tour with Elected Representatives:

Took place today, Friday 18th July. This revised update incorporates the report from Cllr Helen Farrell. Councillors were given a full tour of all of the facilities, wet and dry sides, and ancillary rooms and services. The gym, reception, paths, parking, meeting rooms (will be available for public hire) and coffee shop are all completed and ready to open in a couple of weeks, roughly by early August once staff familiarisation and training is completed. Once a firm date is given, we will let all constituents know.

Completion of Café and Reception Area:

These areas are complete for occupation by Aura and the Café Operator. It is wonderful to discover that the Café will be managed and staffed by “So Coffee”, an independent coffee shop currently based in Leixlip.

Lucan Leisure Campus is their second shop and the menu will include healthy options, porridge, protein balls as well as customer favourites, and lots of coffee too! Customers will be able to use the coffee shop direct from Griffeen Park from the “playground side”, with no need to be a gym member or even go through the gym turnstiles. So your walks in Griffeen Park can now end with a coffee!

It was lovely to speak to some of the staff on reception today with many from Lucan. Some of the instructors are staff who previously worked in the original Lucan Leisure Centre, so there is that community knowledge and continuity there. Additionally, some of the staff even attended the Leisure Centre as children, so it’s brilliant to have locally employed staff.

Floor repairs:

Floor repairs are complete, and cleaning and polishing was happening today during the Councillor tour.

Final Completion of Car Park Area:

The car parking area is complete with the exception of the traffic island at the main entrance. Concrete due to be poured on Tuesday 22nd July with barriers and cameras to follow shortly afterward.

SDCC and Aura Leisure Services are still in discussions around parking allocation. It will not be paid parking but rather barrier swipe. The critical issue is just how many spaces are intended to be allocated for gym members (all, or a percentage?) versus public parking.

As this is public land and provides access to a public park, SDCC know that it is essential to have a set up that allows for this kind of mixed parking. Additionally, in the old Leisure Centre, Esker Boxing Club, a Naíonra (Irish-speaking nursery), and the 3-2-1 leisure hall (available for public booking) will all be in operation in the coming weeks, so SDCC will be ensuring provision for these in the discussions. This issue will need to be revisited.

Cllr Helen Farrell today again raised the long period that Ashpark residents have put up with heavy parking loads in their estate during drop-off and pick-up times, which seems to be happening due to parents using their estate, rather than using the set-down area in local schools. Helen spoke of the need to accommodate parking for parents who may have a child to drop to Naíonra, perhaps another child to school, and who then want to use the park for a walk or coffee. It would be unfair not to allocate public parking to allow for this, as well as all the other eventualities that can happen in the park as a whole.

However, discussions still need to be had between SDCC and Aura regarding this allocation and how it will break down in practice, and it seems likely that in the school holiday period, nothing will be decided with finality. Cllr Farrell will keep abreast of this issue with SDCC and will report back on any developments.

Questions in relation to Pool Side - test filling of swimming, completion of pool area and opening of swimming pool:

The above items all relate to phase 2 completion. There has been significant recent progress made in relation to completion of the following:

• Roof

• Glazing and pool tiling

• Sauna & steam rooms fully tiled

• M&E installation

Under construction, with significant progress visible are:

• Wet changing village

• Variable height showers (accessible)

• Variable height benches

• Hoist

• Group changing rooms

SDCC are exploring all options to achieve completion of the pool side of the building as soon as possible and will advise of the date for completion and opening as soon as it is reliably established

Photos shared by Helen following Cllrs tour below:

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14th July - Latest update from SDCC

According to SDCC, "work continues (see photos above and below) at Lucan Leisure Campus with completion of external works and the gym and exercise studios allowing handover of that side of the facility to our operating partners. Members will be informed shortly of plans to progress completion of the pool side of the facility and a site visit will be arranged to view the gym/exercise areas before opening".

As of now, it appears that the delayed certification and handover to Aura could take place this week or early next week. It is possible, but not 100% certain that the gym and foyer, training/meeting room and possibly café area could be open before the August Bank Holiday weekend. As a lot of this will be in Aura's hands once the handover is completed, it is worth keeping an eye on their social media. Cllr Helen Farrell will update following any site visit.

Current view of pool and the gym area

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12th July -Briefing meeting with Aura Leisure

Councillor Helen Farrell was invited to a briefing meeting last week on 10th July, 2025, by SDCC with Aura Leisure Services, the company who have been contracted to manage Lucan Leisure Campus,  along with other Local Councillors from the area. 

"This was a terribly disappointing meeting overall with no proposed opening date given for either the 'dry side' (gym and studios) or the pool, despite my direct questioning, " said Cllr Farrell. 

While there are some positives in terms of Aura Leisure Services' track record around awards for inclusion and concessions for under-3's, students during the month of the Leaving Cert, and discounts for Seniors and Students (PAYG), Aura currently do not intend a direct parity of membership cost with SDCC's facility in Clondalkin, operated by the not for profit South Dublin Leisure Services. Indeed as we previously pointed out, it would be difficult to do this given the Clondalkin pool is subsidised by the Council but no such subvention is provided for Lucan. However Aura's apparent refusal to use flexibility on its own pricing was very strongly challenged by Councillor Farrell at the meeting and she urged Aura to ensure that the membership fees of Clondalkin and Lucan be on a more equal footing for residents. Whether this happens remains to be seen.