A swimming pool has been consistently the number one leisure amenity sought for by the public. Celbridge is one of the largest towns in Ireland without a public swimming pool. The St. Raphael swimming pool, owned by St. John of Gods, does have a small pool available for its clients and to private adult swimming classes on a very limited basis.
KCC is working to provide public swimming facilities in north Kildare. Between Celbridge, Maynooth and Leixlip, there is two private pools (at the Glenroyal Hotel and at Carton House) and two aging facilities (Maynooth University and St. Raphael's). Their currently plan of record is to provide two facilities:
- Financially support Maynooth University in their refurbishment of the pool there, in return for some public access. The funding is reported to be €3.5M.
- Build a new bespoke public swimming pool in Leixlip, possibly on the site of the Leixlip Amenities Centre. There is a funding provision of €7.5M.
Source: Liffey Champion, pp.1-2, no. 1579, 23rd November 2024.
It can be expected that the Leixlip pool will be positioned as a shared facility for north Kildare.