PLANS For a €22m white-water rafting centre in Dublin have been given the official green light by city councillors.
Dublin City Council voted in favour of the new state-of-the-art facility, 37 votes to 19, which will be built at George’s Dock on the North Quays near to the IFSC.
The new facility will boast a simulated white-water slalom course along with a flat pool that will be suitable for activities like canoeing, rafting and kayaking.
Canoeing Ireland has welcomed the news of the new facility, which will be constructed over an 18-month period in the space previously used for Dublin’s annual Christmas market, beside the Epic Emigration Museum.
The centre will also provide a valuable facility for Dublin Fire Brigade to conduct water rescue training on a regular basis.
Despite the bold places in place for the new white-water rafting facility, the plans have attracted criticism in some quarters.
Speaking to the Irish Independent Anthony Flynn, the director of Inner City Helpiing Homeless, criticised the proposal
"When this was first proposed to us, the council had estimated that it would cost €12m," he said.
"Now it has risen to an astronomical €22m and who is to say that it won't increase further?
"The council also wants this to be built in 18 months but we can't even build houses that fast.”
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