Overspend on high-spec post for lifeguards is criticised

A LOCAL authority severely short of funds came under fire yesterday over spending €340,000 on constructing an observation post for lifeguards.

The construction of the station at Lahinch promenade in Co Clare came in €106,000 or 45 per cent over budget on the original €234,000 contract signed to build the station in March of last year.

The post was due to open last July but delays in construction resulted in no lifeguards occupying the station during the 2008 summer season.

The new building, described by a Clare County Council spokesperson yesterday as “Ireland’s largest lifeguard station”, features an observation room, an external viewing deck, wet room, medical and first aid facilities, a toilet, store room, shower room and an external shower.

Yesterday, a large crowd gathered at Lahinch prom for the official opening of the centre and to hear the mayor of Clare, Cllr Madeleine Taylor Quinn (FG), state that “this is a top-class facility. The centre will significantly increase lifeguard effectiveness and water safety at one of Ireland’s most popular seaside resorts”.

Explaining the overrun, a council spokesperson said: “During the contract period, a number of issues arose which led to additional items to the original contract.”

These included the “significant cost” of an ESB requirement to connect to a sub-station at the other end of the prom, while the installation of a speaker system for public announcements and CCTV cameras at the station also added.

The additional costs also included “the procurement of the roof to the design and specification required”.

The spokesperson said: “All items of variation were rigorously assessed. While a final sum has yet to be agreed, current indications are that it will be in the region of €340,000.”

On the promenade yesterday at the ceremony, chairman of Lahinch Community Council Donogh O’Loghlin said: “It’s very nice, but the cost of a small building like this is absolutely ludicrous. It is very prohibitive.”

Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Carey described the cost overrun on the lifeguard station as “outrageous”.

He said: “We need to move away from a culture of overspend and poor budgeting in this country.”

North Clare councillor Martin Conway (FG) said: “This is state of the art, but I am very concerned at the cost of the station and that it has come in almost 50 per cent over budget.

“I will be demanding a full breakdown from the council on why so much was spent on the station.” The cost of constructing the lifeguard observation post is the first phase of the upgrading of Lahinch promenade, which is being part-financed from the €400,000 the council secured from the sale of derelict public toilets overlooking the bay in Lahinch last June.