Galway’s Leisureland admission fees rise for second year in a row

The hike follows a recent council report that said a 10 per cent price increase was necessary to address the funding shortfall.

Cllr Clodagh Higgins (FG) criticised the increase and said the public is being asked to shoulder the financial burden.

“Leisureland fees increased by approximately 10 per cent in 2025 and have now increased by approximately 10 per cent again,” said Cllr Higgins.

“Ultimately, it is the public who are being asked to carry that burden.”

The report, prepared for the council's Corporate Policy Group (CPG), outlined the potential consequences of the funding cut and recommended reassessing Leisureland's pricing strategy.

It warned that breaking even in 2026 was unlikely and that the facility could require either an additional subsidy or further price increases.

While the CPG backed the 10 per cent increase, the final decision rested with council management, in consultation with the Board of Leisureland.

Cllr Higgins, who is not part of the ruling pact on Galway City Council, said she raised concerns during the budget process about the impact of removing the funding.

“The Executive clearly recognised the financial pressures facing Leisureland and budgeted €300,000 to support the facility,” she said.

“That allocation was subsequently removed by the ruling pact. I was not part of that pact, and I raised my concerns at the time about the consequences of removing this funding.

“Unfortunately, we are now seeing those consequences.”

She said two consecutive years of increases would have a real impact on people who regularly use the facility.

“For a family using Leisureland regularly, these increases add up,” she said.

“At a time when we are encouraging people to be active, learn to swim and look after their health and wellbeing, affordability matters.”

The council's own report also raised concerns about affordability.

It warned that a second consecutive year of price hikes could reduce accessibility and customer satisfaction, while higher prices and a decline in services could damage public confidence in Leisureland.

The report outlined significant financial challenges at the facility, including a €50,000 operating shortfall in 2025.

It also warned that the reduced subsidy would restrict Leisureland's ability to invest in essential infrastructure and could see planned upgrades to ageing equipment postponed.

Rising staffing costs, including the increase in the minimum wage and mandatory auto-enrolment pension contributions, were also cited as pressures.

Cllr Higgins stressed that her criticism was not directed at Leisureland management and said it faces significant energy, staffing, maintenance and operational costs.

“I want to be very clear that I do not blame Leisureland management for responding to the financial realities they face,” she said.

“The question is how much of that burden we expect the public to carry through increased admission charges and how much responsibility Galway City Council accepts for supporting what is an essential piece of public recreational infrastructure.”

Cllr Higgins called for financial support for Leisureland to be revisited when the council prepares its next budget.

“Two consecutive years of approximately 10 per cent increases cannot simply become the norm,” she said.

“We cannot continually pass rising costs onto the people who use the facility.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.