This article is from page 5 of the 2006-04-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 5 JPG
MUCH needed shower and toilet facilities should be in place in Lahinch by the beginning of the 2007 tourist season according to local Fine Gael Councillor, Martin Conway.
The town has been lacking in toilet facilities for the last number of years and plans are in the pipeline to construct shower facilities along with new toilets on the promenade, in a area believed to be close to the Seaworld building.
These plans are in response to the growing number of surfers who come to the village each week. With the numbers travelling to Lahinch to surf each week currently estimated to be in the region of 300 people, it has become big business and the town where three surf schools and a surf shop ow operate.
The toilet and showers facilities will not only allow bathers and surfers to wash after the water but it will also allow surfers to clean their equipment after surfing and protect it from the expensive damage that can be incurred from the salt water.
“Surfing is now big business for county Clare with thousands of people coming from all over the country to surf in Lahinch, winter and summer. Lahinch is benefiting enormously from surfers who come 52 weeks of the year,” said Cllr Conway.
“In the region of €90,000 was collected in car parking charges alone last year and a significant amount of this revenue was generated from surfers. It is shameful to think that they cannot even have a cold shower after coming out of the water.”
The news has also been welcomed by Tom Buckley, owner of the Lahinch Surf Shop.
“We have been looking for facilities like these for year,” said Mr Buckley. “Every time a politician came knocking on the door during an election we mentioned it but noone seemed to take any notice.
“It is about time that Clare County Council start to put some of the money that is raised from parking along the promenade back into the town.”
Cllr Conway has also expressed his hope that the facilities will be delivered sooner rather then later and also commented that shower facilities are needed in other beaches such as Spanish Point and Fanore.
“More and more local people from the parish and from all over county Clare are surfing on a regular basis and it is embarrassing that no showers are available,” concluded Cllr Conway.