Water sports centre in the pipeline for NUI Galway

NUI Galway plans to develop a water sports facility at its city campus.

The university is planning the new development at Earl’s Island, which is at the southern end of the Newcastle campus, on the River Corrib.

The project would involve the demolition of a number of buildings, including stone sheds, and vacant factory type buildings at Earl’s Island.

The university says all of the buildings to be knocked “are in poor condition”.

The new water sports facility will accommodate the needs of six of the university’s water-based sports clubs, and possible one external rowing club.

It said the planned new water sports facility, “will help realise the university’s ambition in terms of participation in water based sports”.

NUI Galway has issued tender documents for the works.

This follows a “detailed site suitability assessment process” and “site specific feasibility study”, which have already been completed.

The university is seeking to acquire project management consultancy services, quantity surveying services, and construction project management services.

During World War One, Earl’s Island was home to the National Shell Factory.

Read more in this week’s Connacht Sentinel