O’ Connell supports temporary replacement while Apex is being repaired

Following severe damage to the Apex leisure centre during the recent storms which have put the popular family destination out of action for the immediate future, a local Sinn Féin rep has joined calls to make use of a closed gym as a temporary replacement.  Oisin O’ Connell said that the idea for the council to use the now closed Woodbine Leisure Centre to replace the Apex during refurbishments was certainly worth investigating.

“The Apex represented a focal point for people to meet and a great destination for families in New Ross town,” Mr O’ Connell said, “It will be missed during the refurbishments that are unavoidable following recent storm damage.”

“Recently I was approached by a group of young New Ross men who are proposing that another local leisure centre which went out of business in the last year could be used as a temporary replacement.  The Woodbine Leisure Centre on the Woodbine Road went into receivership a year ago.  The building could easily be restored and put back into action.  In fact, much of the gym equipment is still on site.”

“I am asking New Ross Town Council to investigate the possibility of taking over the Woodbine facility while repairs are being done.  It would allow staff to be rehired and the service to be restored long before the apex repairs are finalised.  It would also allow an abandoned building in one of our industrial estates to be reopened.  This would attach more people into the area and would surely send out a strong signal that our town is adaptable and open for business.”