Multi-million-euro white water rafting facility proposed for Dublin city centre

This would certainly make a splash on the landscape of Ireland’s capital city.

Dublin City Council has opened consultation on a proposed white-water rafting centre in Dublin’s city centre. Consultation on the proposed facility reopened earlier this month after an initial proposal in January of this year fell by the wayside a few months later, having been described by former Lord Mayor of Dublin Nial Ring as “a white elephant” during a council meeting. The project, according to Dublin City Council, proposes that a White-Water Rafting Centre (WWRC) would be located in Dublin’s Docklands, set within the environs of George’s Dock. It is estimated that it would cost up to €12 million. Image via consultation.dublincity.ie It will provide facilities for a wide range of people who wish to participate in water sports and leisure activities in a city centre location, including kayaking, canoeing and river rafting, which would be open to tourists, club canoeists, elite athletes and emergency services. It is also envisaged that the project will also provide an ‘anchor’ facility for the ongoing enhancement of all water sports activity and leisure use along the River Liffey. The proposed facility would utilise the existing George’s Dock basin, a protected structure, for the provision of a water-based recreational facility and would incorporate the following:

• A central flat-water training facility, including water polo amenity
• A white-water slalom course
• A kayak/raft conveyor
• A pumping station and water treatment plant
• A mechanical control centre and electrical substations
• Enhancement of existing public lighting and provision of low lumination level floodlighting for water-based activities
• A swift water rescue centre with floodable urban street with mock enclosures forming a ‘rescue village’

The project would require the demolition of the former Dublin Docklands Development Authority office building and removal of six existing trees at Custom House Quay. Two new quayside buildings would be constructed, while, where necessary, the existing plaza at George’s Dock would be reconfigured and resurfaced. An Environmental Impact Assessment Screening and Appropriate Assessment Screening for the proposal has already been carried out, both of which determined that the proposed development will not have a significant environmental impact and will not have a significant negative effect on European Sites. Consultation closes on 3 October; members of the public are invited to submit their views here.