Portlaoise Leisure Centre is to close with immediate effect with the loss of 30 jobs, the board behind the facility have confirmed this morning.
“Severe financial constraints” caused by the Covid-19 pandemic have been cited as the main reason behind the decision as the company ceases trading from today and enters liquidation.
The statement says that Laois County Council are not in a position to provide financial support at this time.
“It is with deep regret that we announce the closure of Portlaoise Leisure Centre with immediate effect,” read the statement issued this morning.
“The Leisure Centre has been of huge importance to our community for over three decades and the news of this closure is a very sad day for us, as a Board, our 30 staff, the town of Portlaoise and the wider community in County Laois.
“Due to severe financial constraints caused by the Covid19 pandemic we are unable to continue to trade beyond today and as a result we are winding up the company that operates Portlaoise Leisure Centre on behalf of Laois County Council.
“On this occasion Laois County Council was not in a position to provide financial assistance to help keep the Centre going in a time of huge uncertainty.
“The Board is extremely regretful of the position that we have found ourselves in, and the resulting loss of 30 jobs, both full and part-time in our local community.
“We met with staff last evening, together with the liquidator appointed, to advise staff of the situation and their entitlements.
“Today is a disappointing and sad day for our hard working committed team who have given hugely to this community resource, some for over thirty years.
“We would like to extend huge thanks to them for their hard work over the years and particularly this most recent period of challenge, staff who worked so hard to keep the Leisure Centre going.
“Having met with Laois County Council on numerous occasions over the past number of weeks and days, we are confident that a bright future lies ahead for Portlaoise Leisure Centre and we look forward to the day that it will reopen to provide a service, once again, for the people of Portlaoise and the wider County Laois community.”
