Ireland could end up having three 50-metre swimming pools, if a feasibility study requested by Government supports the siting of an aquatic centre in the proposed national stadium at Abbotstown, Co Dublin.
The Taoiseach has asked the development company to consider the siting of a 50-metre pool in the £281 million complex, at a probable extra cost of £20 million. The study is expected to be completed within a few months, to facilitate Mr Ahern's intention that, should the pool go ahead, it would be ready for the 2003 Special Olympics World Games.
Ireland's first 50-metre facility, being built at the University of Limerick, was given the go-ahead last year, with a Government capital grant of £5.95 million.
In late 1998 a British company, Stannifer Ltd, sought permission for an £80 million leisure and entertainment development near Santry in Dublin, incorporating a £15 million Olympic-sized pool and "water-world".
The plan was thrown into doubt last October by An Bord Pleanala's decision to restrict its cinema element to eight rather than 16 screens. Sources close to the company said it would be reviewing the project, but Dublin Corporation, which viewed the project as a potential major boost to the city, remained confident it would go ahead.
The report on the national stadium, published last week, includes an aquatic centre in a list of possible facilities for the "campus of sporting excellence" envisaged as part of the complex.
The Taoiseach indicated his support in radio interviews, and yesterday's Sunday Business Post quoted the chief executive of the development company, Mr Paddy Teahon, saying a feasibility study on the campus would be prepared to include the pool.
The UL facility is geared primarily to training elite swimmers. The lack of a suitable pool in Dublin had been regarded as a major drawback in Ireland's application for the 2003 Special Olympics.
