White-water rafting facility for Dublin city centre?

Dublin City Council is looking to gauge interest from potential contractors for a €22 million white-water rafting facility in Dublin, which has been the subject of considerable backlash.

The council has issued an ‘expression of interest’ document for a potential contractor to build the facility which will include a white-water rafting course, swift-water rescue training facility and a kayaking and canoe polo pool area at George’s Dock on the River Liffey, according to The Journal.

The aim is to create a central island with a canoe polo pool including a kayak and canoe conveyor, pumping station, swift-water rescue training centre and a ‘floodable urban street’.

The final contractor will also be expected to carry out conservation work to the existing dock and works to include a new mechanical structure to operate the facility.

Amid concerns expressed last year by local representatives, the council said that more than half of funding for the project – €13 million – would be covered through government grants, with a further €4.9 million covered through development levies, and another €4 million coming from capital reserves.

Read the full article in The Journal.