COMMENT: Time to put Mayo 50m. swimming pool debate to bed

THE long-awaited new swimming pool and gymnasium in Castlebar is widely expected to open to the public on Friday, April 5.

It will be preceded by an open and information day next Saturday with Castlebar Swimming Club hosting a gala event over the weekend.

The contractors formally handed over the keys to the facility earlier this month and staff have begun training on-site.

It's a good news story for Castlebar and Mayo in general.

Yet every time a report of the facility appears on social media, the old debate over a 50-metre pool for the town is resurrected.

Some members of the public believe it was a mistake not to have built an Olympic-size facility when the investment was being made in the first place.

The argument has been very well made over the years.

But the reality is that it was not feasible to do so and now the public must embrace the new complex for what it is worth: a tremendous sporting asset to the town and county.

Anybody who has got the opportunity to view it will readily accept that it's time to talk it up for what it is – not knock it for what it is not.

Regular swimmers appreciate what it means to have such a wonderful new facility in which to keep fit and relax.

The old pool served the public well over many years but it had become outdated.

It will be remembered fondly, most notably for the fact that an Irish Olympic swimmer, Nicholas Quinn, nurtured his talent there.

The staff have always been exceptionally good, from the day of the late Liam Ball, the first pool manager, to the current manager, Orlagh O'Connor.

It has invariably had an upbeat feel about it, helped in no small way by the affable and friendly nature of the staff.

Swimming may not be the biggest participation sport in Mayo, but those involved, at all levels, possess an immense passion for it and give so much back by teaching.

Now the sport enters an exciting new era in awe-inspiring new surroundings.

It's important for that factor to be fully realised and richly appreciated.

The new centre also encompasses a start-of-the-art gymnasium being run under the management of Mayo GAA star Andy Moran and his company, The Movement.

A wide range of fitness choices will be provided to members of the public in improving their health, wellbeing and lifestyle.