Reverse Cuts to Opening Hours & Engage With Members

In January 2017 the opening hours were unilaterally and suddenly cut at Roscrea Leisure Centre. This was the final straw for many members, who have endured years of poor management and a complete lack of engagement or consultation with members.

After a meeting of 100 members of the community the board of directors agreed to reverse the decision to cut opening hours, and engage in consultation for 3 months. In the words of one of the directors present at the meeting, the cuts to opening hours clearly had “the maximum amount of impact” on members.

In March 2017, following a period of patient waiting for this decision to be implemented, the directors reversed this decision. Despite their claims, no consultation with members was engaged in prior to this reversal.

It was said at a second public meeting that recent events at the Centre had provoked deep feelings in the members, casual users and the wider Roscrea Community; and this was clear when unanimity prevailed regarding the formation of the Roscrea Leisure Centre Community Action Group.

Roscrea Leisure Centre is the result of a long and hard fought campaign by the community of Roscrea, dating back to the 1940s. Funds were generously provided by generations of Roscrea men and women, along with the taxpayer who continues to provide significant funds year-on-year.

The community cannot stand by while this valuable resource is so badly mismanaged – few believe that these cuts will be the first. Last year prices were raised, this year hours are cut, what will happen next year?

We call upon the directors of Roscrea Swimming Pool Ltd to honor their original statement and reverse the cuts to opening hours for a period of 3 months. This will provide the necessary goodwill to allow engagement in meaningful consultation with the members and thus prevent the otherwise inevitable further decline of the finest Leisure Centre in the midlands. The current situation is unsustainable and cannot be allowed to continue.

Great trees are planted by those who will never sit in their shade. Roscrea leisure centre was built by men and women who would never enjoy it. They had a vision, they fought for it. If we don't fight today to keep this centre open and thriving, we betray our grandparents. We leave a poorer town for our grandchildren.