THE MULTI-million Euro Apex swimming pool and leisure complex in New Ross opened its doors to the public for the first time last weekend.
The state-of-the-art facility welcomed its first public customers through its doors on Saturday.
From 10 a.m. the general public accessed the facility with the local swimming club taking to the water from 7 a.m.
However, the opening was not without controversy and when the price list was published the previous Thursday it was met with a very negative response from the general public.
There were hints that a major protest was due to be held outside the complex on Saturday morning and the Gardai made a number of drive-through visits to the complex but the facility opened its doors without incident
However, many people contacted The Echo about the price list matter and Social media website, Facebook, was bombarded with comments from New Ross people expressing criticism of the pricing structure for the new pool.
New Ross Town Council was accused of creating a facility for the wealthy and that it had effectively taken a public pool from the people of the town and replaced it with a luxury.
Some people compared prices between the old pool and the new facility and commented that in the existing Kennedy Memorial Pool they often brought their children along once-a-week but would not be able to do so in the Apex.
However, when The Echo spoke to Town Manager, Eamonn Hore, about the matter he highlighted the fact that with the new pool having just opened its doors everything will be under review over the coming months.
“We have to get people in through the door,” he said.
“That is the important thing,” he added.
When asked how the pricing list was ascertained he said it had been agreed by the Board of the new facility but not until a long process of evaluation had been carried out.
Comparisons were made with facilities all over the south east region and with that in mind Mr. Hore said the prices in the new facility compare favourably with other centres.
He also pointed out that the Apex, as a pool and leisure complex, is “far superior” to most of the other facilities around the local region.
The General Manager of the Apex, Enda Maria Kavanagh, also spoke to The Echo about the facility.
She highlighted the fact that the prices are inclusive of VAT at 9 per cent.
“The first 9 per cent of the price goes to the Government,” she said.
“The cost to swim also includes access to the health suite, the water slide, the children’s pool and the learner pool,” she added.
“It offers a very special customer experience and there is no other public or private facility that comes near it.”
Ms. Kavanagh also highlighted the importance of sustaining the long term viability of the centre and ensuring the employment of its staff.
Like Mr. Hore, she also commented that the Apex will be operating at a loss for its first three years in existence.
“It’s not forecast to break even until year three,” she said.
Ms. Kavanagh also commented on the high cost of running a facility of its type and said the yearly operational costs for the Apex will be in the region of €1m.
“There is a €7m investment in this that has to be paid back,” she added.
She went on to say: “I think when people walk through the door they will see they are getting exceptional value for money at these prices.”
Town Clerk, Anthony Bailey, also spoke to The Echo about the matter and said the Board of Management at the facility had looked at every aspect in terms of coming up with a pricing structure.
He also said there was no point comparing the Apex with the old pool because they are worlds apart in terms of what they have to offer patrons.
Echoing to comments of Ms. Kavanagh, he highlighted that the operating costs will be around €1m.
“It has to be operated in a safe manner both for the staff and the customers,” he said.
“The flume [water slide] aspect alone necessitates two additional lifeguards and that cannot be avoided,” he added.
“I was at the old pool yesterday and when you compare it with the Apex they are just worlds apart; there is no comparison there.”
“The costs have gone up but that reflects the reality of the business costs,” he said.
Having highlighted the running costs for the new facility Mr. Bailey said the old pool operated for around €330,000 per year.
“The additional staffing costs in the new facility will amount to around €600,000 to €650,000,” he said.
Mr. Bailey also said there will be dedicated staff in the Apex to deal with all aspects of its operation including the gym and health suite.
“They will get to know people over time and will help them with their training regimes.”
“Everyone there will be trained in the use of all the equipment,” he added.
“To go from the old pool to this one is like stepping into a different world.”
(For the full story see this week’s print edition of the New Ross Echo)
