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18th Apr 2018

White-water rafting course and possible open-air pool planned for Dublin’s IFSC

Kate Demolder

The completion date is scheduled for 2020.

A white-water course for kayaks, and possibly a public lido, is planned to be built in the middle of Dublin’s IFSC.

Dublin City Council has invited the services of a consultant project manager and employers representative for a white-water course (including a swift water rescue training course) and a possible public lido, or open-air swimming pool, at George’s Dock, Custom House Quay.

The council has plans to aid the creation of 250-metre white-water course at a cost of up to €15 million around the edge of George’s Dock, next to the CHQ building in the financial sector.

Originally constructed in 2004 to host the Spiegeltent, George’s Dock boasts a platform that has since been used for a wide range of public and private events as well and a variety of shows and concerts. Events held on the platform include Oktoberfest, Luminarium, 12 Days of Christmas Market and the children’s area of the Maritime festival.

With this proposal, Dublin City Council is keen to promote the use of the waterways as an integral part of the vitality and experience of Dublin Docklands, that enhances the area as “a world class destination for living, doing business, tourism, leisure and cultural activities.”

This move will see Dublin follow in the footsteps of cities like London, New York and Madrid where open-air lidos are commonly frequented by the public during the summer months.

It is envisaged, by the council, that a possible public lido containing a pool will reside in the middle of the dock.

The proposed pool will be used for canoe polo, flat water kayak training and other related activities.

This will be the first designated outdoor public swimming area of its kind in Dublin city.

A design team should be in place by summer 2018 (the response deadline is in May) with a completion date scheduled for 2020.

According to the council’s strategy, the successful tenderer for the project would be paid up to €750,000 plus VAT and should have experience in the design and delivery of artificial white-water systems, preferably with the use of a flexible obstacle system.

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