Rising costs could sink Galway aquatic centre plans

Fears have been raised that the aquatic centre planned for Cappagh Park could be dead in the water amid skyrocketing construction costs.

A meeting of Galway City Council this week heard that due to spiralling inflation in the building sector, the previous estimate of around €15 million to compete the centre must be reviewed.

The proposal for the aquatic and fitness centre was unveiled in 2019 and secured an €8 million grant from Government though the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund in 2019.

However, that funding was only made available to the Council earlier this year and Chief Executive Brendan McGrath told councillors that given the period of time that had lapsed since it was originally costed, a review was required.

“The original Cappagh proposal was formulated around April or May of 2019 . . . it behoves me to update costs as there has been significant inflation nationally.

“In that context, before I come back to Council, it was decided to update costs. It will come back to Council at the June or July meeting,” said Mr McGrath.

Cllr Níall McNelis (Lab) said the news had raised questions over whether or not the project was ‘still a runner’.

“We have been told the costs might go up by 30%,” he said.

This is a shortened preview version of this article. To read the rest of the story, see the June 3 edition of the Galway City Tribune. You can buy a digital edition HERE.