Plans to transform George’s Dock in the north inner city into a fantastic white-water canoeing, kayaking and rescue centre facility are underway. The elections caused the plans to be delayed but the changes in the council have allowed the project to be reconsidered. It has now been opened for public consultation until the 3rd October. This is an opportunity for the public to voice their opinion on what they think should be developed in the area and if they agree with the plans for the white rafting centre. The plans have certainly had some critics but there are plenty of supporters for the centre too.
The details and plans
According to the Dublin City website, the €12 million project proposes a new city centre urban activity located in Dublin’s Docklands and set within the historic environs of George’s Dock. The White Water Rafting Centre (WWRC) will provide facilities for a wide range of people who wish to participate in water sports and leisure activities in a city centre location. It will serve members of the public who wish to kayak or canoe or go river rafting and will serve white water course customers, including tourist visitors, club canoeists, elite athletes and emergency services. 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 full details on the below are available here but the project briefly involves the provision of water based recreational facility at George’s Dock and Custom House Quay, with the following:
- Provision of a white water rafting course utilising the existing George’s Dock basin, which is a protected structure.
- The demolition of former Dublin Docklands Development Authority office building and removal of 6 no. existing trees at Custom House Quay.
- Reconfigured and resurfaced public open space where necessary to the existing plaza at George’s Dock.
- Conservation and protection works to the lock gate and quay walls together with retention and protection of the triumphal arch on site and the partial removal of the timber boardwalk and insertion of access structures to the canal channel at the sea wall.
According to the website, an Environmental Impact Assessment Screening and Appropriate Assessment Screening for the proposal was carried out and it was decided that the proposed development will not have a significant environmental impact and will not have a significant negative effect on European Sites.
Full details and information (on the above) are available online here about the project plans and consultation.