Planning Green Light for Volvo Ocean Race

Date Published: 04-Jul-2008

PLANS for the stop-over next year’s Volvo Ocean Race at Galway Docks have taken a major step forward, after city planners gave the go-ahead for a new dry docks and slipway this week.

Meanwhile, a separate application for a new Centre Pier Building – which will include a state-of-the-art media centre – has just been lodged at City Hall.

Overall, a tented three-acre ‘Race Village’ will be built at the Docks for the race, which is the largest sporting event in the world.

The Ocean Race, which will be stopping in Galway from May 22 next, is expected to generate around €65million for the local economy, as well as attracting around 140,000 visitors.

This week, planners approved an application from Neil Carney of Let’s Do It Galway for permission to the construct of a 88 metre long slipway and a 2,827 square metre dry dock, which will consist of a quay wall, pontoons and 1.5 metre high decorative fencing.

According to the application: “The construction of the dry dock and slipway will be formed by the excavation and infill of existing material above the high water mark.

The dry dock and slipway are required during the Volvo Ocean Race 2008/2009 for repair of yachts in situ or as a haul-out facility, whereby the yachts will be hauled out by mobile crane and transported to adjacent sites for repair.”

A second application, to be lodged in the coming days, seeks permission for the demolition of an existing Centre Pier Building and the construction of a new two-storey building of 550 square metres.
The building will incorporate a media centre and the variety of offices required to facilitate the stop-over of the race.

After the race, the building will then be used as a centre for Galway Harbour Company’s leisure facilities, which will include a chandlery and chandler’s office, reception, sailing information room, a
marina manager’s office, common room and a kitchen.

Up to 500 pleasure craf tand support craft are expected in Galway Bay during the stop-over, which…