Swim Ireland has launched Ireland’s first ‘Pop-Up Pool’, a concept that will have the ambition to bring swimming to communities across the island.
A desire to improve the opportunity to swim and to enhance the experience for all swimmers has led to the development of this innovative solution, supported by Sport Ireland, to the problem hitting the headlines of where can you access swimming when your local pool is at capacity or too far away.
With the support of Fingal County Council, the first Pop-Up Pool has now landed at Donabate Portrane Community Centre with additional pools coming soon in Wicklow and Sligo. Every 12-weeks the Pop-Up Pools will move to new locations on its journey around Ireland.
Holding 45,000 litres of water, the 12m by 3.4m steel structure will remain in place in Donabate until mid-July. The water is heated to 30 degrees and the pool is sheltered from the elements in a hard-sided and heated marquee.
There are changing rooms on-site, as well as a ramp and a hoist to provide accessibility for all.
With an ambitious target of 750 swimming experiences a week, Swim Ireland will have school swimming, evening and weekend swimming lessons, community groups and private hires available. The opportunities are endless.
“We are delighted to get the Pop-Up Pool up and running, this project is something we have been working on for quite some time and to see it come to fruition is really exciting,” said Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane.
“At Swim Ireland, our vision is for ‘An Island of Swimmers’ and we hope that by bringing the Pop-Up Pool to the people, we can teach thousands to swim and give them the experience and opportunity to see swimming as a skill and something they can participate in across all life stages.”
“We also see the pop-up pool as a first step in supporting the development of the National Swimming Strategy, a major part of which will focus on swimming infrastructure indoors and outdoors.”
“This is a really novel way of delivering swimming opportunities in communities,” added Minister of State for Sport, Jack Chambers.
“I want to congratulate Swim Ireland on having the vision to consider such an innovative project and was delighted to provide grant funding to deliver the facility.”
“I am committed to increasing participation in sport and swimming is one of the best forms of physical exercise for developing and maintaining high levels of physical fitness. It is a sport which people can participate in from a very early age and throughout their lives.”
“Delivering new permanent swimming pools can be costly and take considerable time though and this new “pop-up” facility provides an excellent solution by delivering swimming opportunities at a number of locations at a relatively low cost. I certainly look forward to getting feedback from Swim Ireland in the months ahead on how the new initiative is working.”
Speaking on behalf of Sport Ireland, CEO Dr, Una May added that “This is a fantastic initiative by Swim Ireland that brings with it an opportunity for everyone to get involved in swimming, regardless of their ability or experience in the pool.”
“I want to commend Swim Ireland for their innovative approach and for getting this project off the ground.”
Sport for Business Perspective
Sometimes we overthink the complexity of a problem and it seems that the solution is just to difficult or too expensive. This is smart in its simplicity, providing a deployable additional facility and at the same time stimulating demand so that the planning of more permanent pools can be done with a greater degree of certainty. Well done Swim Ireland.
Sport for Business Partners
