Hydrotherapy pool set to reopen

It’s hoped that the hydrotherapy pool at a local disability service will open next month following the completion of remedial works there.

The treatment pool, located at the Hillside Centre in the Rathcorrick area of Cavan Town, had been closed since 2019 due to a lack of funding and the Celt had highlighted the story as families campaigned for the facility's reopening.

In correspondence with Deputy Niamh Smyth (FF) on the issue, the head of service (Disability) for the HSE in this area confirmed: “The Service Manager for Enable Ireland North East Services has confirmed that the remedial works have been completed on the hydrotherapy pool at Enable Ireland, Cavan.

“The service is commencing the filling of the pool slowly to bring it to the right temperature. Enable Ireland is also actively recruiting for a pool attendant/ maintenance person and will give an update on this in the coming weeks. It is hoped to have the pool opened next month.”

The HSE and Enable Ireland operate from the centre, which works with children with disabilities. The pool was open for six months but was forced to close after the lifeguard left and funding sources dried up.

Deputy Smyth said: “The repairs required to this pool first came to light for me when I brought Minister for Disabilities Anne Rabbitte to visit Enable Ireland in Cavan in April. Since then it has become our focus to see this valuable amenity, which is so badly needed reopened.”

Following the visit, Minister Rabbitte said she was shocked to see the facility closed and suggested the pool should be opened for a fee to outside groups and organisations who would benefit from its use.

Shortly after, Enable Ireland confirmed to the Celt that it had submitted a business case to the HSE in a bid to secure funding to recruit a lifeguard and cover running costs.

Deputy Smyth was delighted with the news. “Hopefully it will become a valuable retreat and amenity to so many to use and enjoy for years to come,” she concluded.