€1.1M for redevelopment of Dun Laoghaire Baths

Issued : Wednesday 20 January, 2016

Labour General Election candidate for Dun Laoghaire, Carrie Smyth has welcomed news that €1.1m is to be provided towards redevelopment of the Dun Laoghaire Baths site. The money has been secured from the European Regional Development Fund through the Department of the Environment and the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly.

“This is great news for Dun Laoghaire. The redevelopment of the Dun Laoghaire Baths site will add a fantastic new amenity to the people of Dun Laoghaire and its surrounding areas and help to promote Dun Laoghaire as a tourist destination.

“I remember using the baths as a child and during my teenage years making many visits to Rainbow Rapids. It is a place that is much-loved by the people of the area. The site has been unused since 1997, meaning this re-development is long overdue. 

“The planned redevelopment will see the bath pavilion retained and upgraded so it can be opened up for other uses. The space will be fitted out to accommodate a gallery and studio spaces for artists. The outbuildings will be regenerated into a new outdoor café terrace.

“New pedestrian and cycle routes will be created through the pavilion to the town centre and a new pedestrian route will be created to connect the walkway at Newtownsmith with the East Pier.

“A new changing area and jetty for swimmers and other water users will also be created.”

“The whole project is expected to cost in the region of €2.7m but this initial €1.1m will allow the project to get off the ground in earnest and is a clear signal that this is a project that will happen, not one that might.

“I am delighted that the project can now progress and I look forward to the day when this exciting new facility will be open to the public. It will be a fantastic addition to Dun Laoghaire town.”

Note for Editor:

Later today Minister Kelly, together with Minister Donohoe, will announce funding under the EU Urban Development Fund Designated Centres Grants Scheme.
 
Local Authorities for designated growth centres (Gateways and Hub Towns) in the S&E and N & W regions were invited in August 2015 to submit applications for projects under The Sustainable Urban Development Priority of the Regional Operational Programmes 2014 that seek to improve the urban environment, regenerate brownfield sites, reduce air pollution, promote noise reduction and promote sustainable multi-modal urban mobility.
 
Capital grant assistance is being made available under this programme to local authorities to fund projects focussing on 2 investment priorities:
 
1. Actions which will contribute to improving the urban environment, revitalising and regenerating the urban areas, consistent with investment priority 6(e) under Article 5 of the ERDF Regulation.

2. Support will also be available for actions/projects which will support sustainable urban mobility initiatives, consistent with investment priority 4(e) of Article 5 of the ERDF Regulation.
 
Funds are being made available for allocation as grant assistance at a maximum grant rate of 50%.
 
Projects that have been awarded funding are located in Cork, Dublin (incl all 4 LA areas), Limerick, Waterford, Ennis, Kilkenny, Mallow, Tralee, Wexford, Athlone, Dundalk, Galway, Letterkenny, Mullingar, Sligo and Tullamore/

Dun Laoighaire-Rathdown Project: Dun Laoghaire baths (Urban Regeneration) (Sustainable Transport)

The project will be delivered in 3 sections:

1. Retention of the bath pavilion –linked to IP 6(3) regeneration and opening up for other uses; the existing baths pavilion will be retained and upgraded, and fitted out for to accommodate studio space for artists, and to provide a gallery and café facilities. The dilapidated outbuildings to side and rear to be removed and a new outdoor ‘café terrace’ will be created, and other public realm works will be completed.

2. Creation of pedestrian and cycle routes through the pavilion to town centre – 4(3); anew pedestrian route will be created to connect the walkway at Newtownsmith with the East Pier

3. New swimming facilities and jetty - linked to IP 6(3) regeneration and opening up for other uses; a new changing area and jetty for swimmers & other water users will be created

Total Cost of Project: €2.7 million

Total Grant Awarded: €1.1 million