A parent of members of Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club has raised his concerns of the impact the closure of the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum swimming pool will have on the club and local swimmers in general, saying there’s “an awful lot at stake for an awful lot of people”.

It is understood that there will be no Council-run public swimming pool available for an extended period of time whenever the Forum closes to facilitate the development of a new leisure and wellbeing centre on its lakeside site in Enniskillen.

Speaking to The Impartial Reporter, the parent – who has two children currently in the Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club – has said that he is concerned that the lack of a public swimming pool in Enniskillen during this time could potentially “spell the end of the swimming club”.

“They’ll be pulled apart, and it doesn’t make sense to travel to Omagh perhaps,” he said.

“It’s simply not doable for a child from Enniskillen to go to Omagh for swimming and be back to be [at school in Enniskillen] for 9am, with traffic and all that,” he added, highlighting his concerns for the “poor individuals” in the swimming club and beyond who have trained and are due to peak over the next few years.

“The club has had several swimmers attend international events, for example McCullagh,” he said, worried that these opportunities could be lost if easy access to a swimming pool is not available for club members during the years that the Forum would be closed.

“I think there’s an awful lot at stake for an awful lot of people,” he added, acknowledging that, aside from Lakelanders members, there are a wide range of individuals who use the swimming pool, whether it be for their mental or physical well-being, or rehabilitation.

“Think of all the young children that are learning to swim – it’s a life-skill, an essential life-skill, especially where we are situated here on the only island town in Ireland.

“It’s a big window of opportunity for young kids to miss,” he said, adding: “Many of those affected by the imminent closure of the Forum will also have had to struggle through its time closed due to the pandemic.”

Explaining that he has contributed to the consultation process for the development, the parent believes that the new leisure centre is offering “little to nothing more than the existing one” upon its completion.

“It’ll still be a 25m pool. We’ll still be lightyears behind all those in the East with 50m pools.

“I’ve contributed in the consultation all along. If they’re not going to offer a better service, or a 50m pool, or something different, why bother?

“The pool we have may not be as economical to run, but it’s serving its purpose very, very well,” he told this newspaper.

When asked by The Impartial Reporter when the Fermanagh Lakeland Forum will close for development to begin, and for how long there will be no public swimming pool facilities available in Enniskillen, and if the Council is planning to implement temporary facilities in the meantime, a spokesperson for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said: “The redevelopment proposal for ... [the] Forum has received approval to be progressed to full business case stage and to commence the planning and procurement processes.”

“When completed, the full business case will be presented to the Council for consideration.”

As to when the proposed works will be implemented, the spokesperson said: “The estimated timeline for the re-development ... is under consideration as part of the Full Business Case process and will be communicated when confirmed.”

They said the planning process has commenced following the submission of a planning application on June 20.

“The full business case will also consider the most appropriate arrangements for leisure and recreation opportunities for the duration of any closure.”

The spokesperson noted that the Council’s three other leisure centres – Bawnacre, Castle Park and Omagh Leisure Complex – will continue to be open during any refurbishment works at Fermanagh Lakeland Forum, and the Council’s Community and Wellbeing Officers will also continue to deliver a programme of events throughout the district, providing access to leisure and recreation activities.