A swimming club in Cork, Ireland, is eager to train the next generation of Irish Olympic swimmers, but they're facing a unique challenge: they have an Olympic-sized, five-lane swimming pool, but nowhere to put it. The Dolphin Swim Club in Mayfield has been storing the pool for a year, hoping to find a suitable location to build it. This is a pressing issue, as Olympic and world champion swimmer Daniel Wiffen recently stated that Ireland desperately needs more 50-meter pools to help children become Olympians. The club's head coach, Mick McCormack, emphasizes the urgency, as the current pool facilities are outdated and nearing the end of their life cycle. The club has been working tirelessly to secure a site, but the process has been slower than anticipated.
The aging 25-meter pool at the Mayfield site is used by 49 schools for swimming lessons and by the Dolphin Swim Club for its Learn to Swim program. The limitations of this pool are frustrating, as the club has a 50-meter, brand-new, modern pool sitting in storage, unused. Coach McCormack highlights the potential impact of having the larger pool, stating that they could increase their weekly sessions from four to 12 overnight. He fears that without adequate facilities, an entire generation of Irish children is missing out on the opportunity to become swimming champions.
The Dolphin Swim Club, a top-rated club in Ireland, also nurtures adult swimmers and has five members on the national team. However, they are often forced to travel to Dublin and Limerick to train in larger pools, as they compete against swimmers with the best facilities in Europe. The 'flat-pack' Olympic-sized pool, purchased from the UK after the 2022 Commonwealth Games, has been in storage in Cork since spring 2024. The club launched a fundraiser to raise €100,000 for the planning and design phase, hoping to secure a site in the city.
Despite the club's efforts, securing a site has been challenging. Coach McCormack mentions that a site in Glanmire is 'on the table,' and a local school is willing to host the pool, but support is needed to move forward. Building a top-quality facility could cost up to €10 million. The club has prepared three plans, one including a sports hall, but the financial cost remains a significant hurdle.
Despite the challenges, the Dolphin Swim Club remains committed to providing an aquatic space for everyone, not just competitive athletes. Coach McCormack emphasizes the importance of access to swimming facilities for all, citing the example of Japan, a country surrounded by water, where pools are built everywhere, even during economic hardships. The club's efforts align with the push by Cork TD Christopher O'Sullivan for a swimming facility in Bandon and the campaign by Midleton residents to secure a new swimming pool in East Cork.
The story of the Dolphin Swim Club highlights the need for better swimming facilities in Ireland and the potential for swimming to catch up with other Olympic sports, such as rowing, where Cork has already produced Olympic champions.
