TWELVE STAFF members at the Apex swimming pool and leisure complex in New Ross have been laid off with a further six people seconded to other roles within the Town Council.
Speaking to The Echo about the situation at the complex following the recent storm which ripped part of the roof from the building Manager, Enda-Marie Kavanagh, said every effort is being made to get the facility up-and-running again in as short a time frame as possible.
“The insurance assessors are in here at the moment,” she told this newspaper yesterday morning.
“The Town Council also have an independent assessor looking into it to see what happened,” she added.
“When the report comes back we will then move forward as fast as we can to get it reopened.”
On Friday staff members were informed that they would be temporarily laid off from the facility, however, Ms. Kavanagh pointed out that all of the staff will be offered their jobs back when the Apex re-opens.
She also said efforts have been made to contact all of the facilities members with a view to either giving them a refund on their payments or offering them incentives to retain their membership – which will become active again once the facility opens its doors again.
“This is a terrible situation that nobody wanted and is certainly something that nobody could have foreseen,” she said.
“We have tried to contact all of our members but I would ask anyone that hasn’t been contacted yet to phone us on 051-445522 and then press ‘9’ and we will get back to them.”
Ms. Kavanagh pointed out that in some cases staff members were unable to leave voicemail messages on members’ phones.
“We are giving people the option of a refund or staying with us and we will give them add-on benefits when the Apex re-opens,” she said.
People will three months membership will be given an extra month free-of-charge while six-month members will get two addition months and those with yearly subscriptions will get three months extra free.
With regard to the staff Ms. Kavanagh said there were 18 temporary lay-offs from the facility, however, the six staff members who moved up from the old swimming pool will retain employment with New Ross Town Council.
“At the moment there is myself and two Duty Managers working at the Apex,” said Ms. Kavanagh.
The staff members have been paid up to this coming Friday, March 7, and they have been guaranteed their jobs back when the facility opens its doors again.
“Eighteen staff have been laid off from the centre but as soon as it’s up-and-running again everyone will be back on the team again,” said Ms. Kavanagh.
She then highlighted the fact that all of the staff members at the Apex are valued members of the overall team and their input into the running of the facility is greatly appreciated.
“Because of the damage caused at the centre it’s regrettable that there is no work for them [the staff] to avail of,” she said.
“However, I would emphasise it’s only temporary and they will all be offered their jobs back again as soon as possible.”
Describing the forced closure of the facility as ‘heart-breaking and soul destroying’ Ms. Kavanagh said: “It’s deeply regrettable but unfortunately, unavoidable.”
She also confirmed that all of the staff have been paid holiday pay and they have been given assistance with regard to social welfare.
“Even if they get jobs elsewhere we will be giving people a call to get their jobs back when we reopen,” she said.
“The storm was something beyond the control of anyone and it caused widespread devastation not just here but across the country,” she added.
While the facilities at the Apex are state-of-the-art Ms. Kavanagh said that the staff members were the ones who made the experience of visiting the facility enjoyable for customers.
“The staff members are vital here and we will be offering them their jobs back as soon as possible,” she said.
“We are doing the best we can but it’s one step at a time.”
