Threat of closure abates
IN a dramatic development this Wednesday, the Limerick Post was informed that St Enda’s Sports Complex, faced with the axe, is about to be saved.
The strong and active membership from both city and county had voiced their shock that the future of the facility was under serious threat.
At a meeting of Limerick City Council on Monday, it was revealed the facility had failed to meet the requirements of a Health and Safety Report.
Tony O’Gorman, chairman of St Enda’s Sports Complex and St Enda’s School, reported that under legislation, they had no option but to close as they were unable to obtain funding for its refurbishment and therefore, could not insure the building.
In a dramatic twist, Mr O’Gorman has now confirmed to this newspaper that behind-the-scenes talks resulted in a change of fortune that will save the complex for the immediate future, at least.
“There was a lot of upset among staff and our membership after our problem surfaced. St Enda’s provides an excellent service to the people, both locally and from outside.
“We have agreed a survival plan with the Department of Education to keep the complex open and as chair of the board, I am very confident for the future. Details of the plan will be revealed on Monday”.
Councillors had already been alerted to what was described as an almost certain closure of the complex, by Cllr Ger Fahy.
He revealed at a council meeting that the centre had been struggling to stay afloat.
He had also expressed concerns about St Enda’s School, as with a vacant adjoining sports complex, there would be fears regarding anti-social behaviour arising in the area.
City Council provides €65,000 annually towards St Enda’s Sports Complex.
Cllr Joe Leddin told Monday’s meeting that without this financial support, St Enda’s would not be able to continue, and if closure was the only answer, it would have been a major loss to Limerick.
