Sports centre charge to be increased to €120 after passing of second referendum

news1A student referendum on the compulsory sports centre charge has been passed by 88% of the vote.

1,170 students voted to increase the fee from €90 to €120, while 165 students voted against any increase to the annual charge.

A total of 1,335 students voted in the SU referendum, which was held today and yesterday after the necessary 500 signatures to call a referendum were presented to the SU Council on March 10th.

The first referendum, held in conjunction with the SU elections in mid-February, was narrowly defeated, after 58% of students voted not to increase the existing charge of €90.

Proponents of the fee increase had argued that it would allow for the sports centre’s fitness studio to be enlarged, create a specialist room for weights on the first floor of the centre, improve futsal and five-a-side facilities, and ensure there is no fee for use of the pool, fitness studio or weights room.

A no vote, they had said, would result in an increase in non-student membership, as well as the  introduction of a fee for use at peak times.

Trinity News understands that the peak fee is likely to amount to €30 per person, though the cost per term for each club is yet to be confirmed.

Catherine Healy

Editor of Trinity News. Interested in politics, history and all forms of media.