Plans drawn up for new indoor skate and climbing facility

Plans for a new indoor skateboarding and rock-climbing facility in the city centre have been lodged with Galway City Council.

The plans have been drawn up by a team of Dutch architects and the idea was inspired by a skate park in Spain and the Brooklyn Boulders in New York.

Building owner Michael Maye of CWC Fairgreen Ltd has sought permission for a change of use of the basement and part of the ground floor of Fairgreen House to a multifunctional sports, arts and events space, along with a café.

According to the application for ‘The Youth Factory’, which adjoins the multi-storey carpark: “The concept behind the proposed development is to provide a much-needed resource for children, teens and young adults in the city, a place to learn, socialise, hang out and burn off some energy in a controlled space filled with positive peers and programming.

“The programming of the Youth Factory meets the increasing demand for a high-standard skate facility in Galway. An indoor space, it will be accessible year-round and during dark winter evenings. The skating, combined with bouldering and other multifunctional spaces, will ensure a diverse mix of users and an active space throughout the day and early evening.”

‘The Vault’ space included in the plans is a multifunctional meeting room for workshops, classes and fitness lessons.

The architects have already designed the Play Park in Ballyfermot Dublin and a neighbourhood square in The Hague in the Netherlands.

The works will include the fit-out of the space and creation of a new mezzanine floor, and the opening up of the entrance onto Bothar Pairc an Aoinaigh, which is currently hoarded.

According to the applicant, the development would provide a “relatively considerable” level of employment

The premises has been vacant since it was built 15 years ago as it failed to attract a retail tenant. Separate plans for a bar and nightclub there failed to materialise.

“The proposed development will generate economic benefits in terms of capital outlay and long-term employment generation. The proposal will complete a relatively long-standing vacant premises and incomplete façade and broaden the range of amenities and activities in the city centre.

“The proposed development would not be anticipated to lead to any material traffic impacts, reducing extant parking requirements and also benefitting from ‘green’ modes of transport and would not be anticipated to lead to any impacts on surrounding uses in terms of visual or residential amenities.

The floor area would be just under 1,500 square metres.

Meanwhile, CWC Fairgreen has separately sought permission   for a change of use of part of     the ground floor in the same building from retail use to co-working office space which will be used by tenants SuperPixel Labs.

A decision on both applications is due in June.