Workers to be recruited to monitor Atlantic Pond after concerns over maintenance and algae

Cork City Council has confirmed that five dedicated staff members will be recruited and assigned to monitor and maintain the Atlantic Pond near the Marina in Blackrock.

The allocation comes in the wake of ongoing concerns for the maintenance of the amenity, with complaints in recent months over reduced water levels and the increased presence of algae on the freshwater lake.

Throughout the summer months, several complaints were raised with Uisce Éireann and Cork City Council in relation to the amenity, with local representatives calling for full-time staff to be allocated as a matter of urgency.

Cork City Council confirmed in July that a parks capital project crew would carry out electrical enabling works at the eastern end of the pond to correct a broken return tidal valve, with the installation of pumps aiming to amend reduced water levels and algae build-up.

However, a motion was put forward to Cork City Council last week, calling on the local authority to designate a team to work at the amenity following reports that further pollution had been observed at the site.

The motion called for the creation of a dedicated staffing cohort to service the Marina Park, Atlantic Pond and Holland Park area to "ensure standards created during its development are maintained and any issues that emerge are rectified swiftly".

In response to the motion, put forward by Labour Party councillor for the Cork city South East ward, Peter Horgan, a spokesperson for Cork City Council confirmed that a team of five would now be recruited to furnish the amenity.

"A team of five staff will be recruited in the coming weeks to manage and maintain the Marina Park, Marina Promenade and Greenway," 

the spokesperson said.

"When complete the full team will consist of a junior foreperson, two gardeners, and three general operatives.

"In the interim, the park will be maintained by existing parks and recreation staff."

Mr Horgan said this is a valuable allocation and redirection of staff for what he considers to be "the jewel of the city".

"Not only is it a destination for all Corkonians, but it has been a haven for those from the Blackrock and surrounding areas for decades," said Mr Horgan.

"We have to ensure that when we invest in creating these amenities we are also investing in the maintenance and protection of that investment.

"I have been working with senior officials on this and advocating for some time for a specific team as you would find at the Lough and in Fitzgerald’s Park.

"My hope now is that we can now drive on with facilitating further toilet facilities at Holland Park and advocating for the extension of the Line renewal out to Hartys Quay, as well securing the design for the extension of the Marina to City Hall via Kennedy Quay.”