Construction of long-awaited Carlow Water Activity Centre moves closer

The construction of the long-awaited Carlow Water Activity Centre is moving closer, a council meeting has heard.

The project was discussed in detail at the January meeting of the Carlow Municipal District.

It is envisaged that the centre will offer comprehensive facilities designed to support water sports and recreational activities.

These facilities will include secure storage for boat clubs, changing rooms, shower facilities, meeting rooms and rental units for water-based activities.

There are also plans for a terrace and a pedestrian boardwalk which will link to the Town Park.

READ NEXT: 80-year-old Carlow man plans to jump out of a plane for cancer research funds

Carlow County Council first announced plans for the development in 2019.

It secured planning permission for the development in 2022 and subsequently received €4.2 million in funding for the project.

When that funding was announced in November 2024, the council stated that the project was “ready to break ground”.

Senior Executive Officer Barry Knowles outlined where the project currently stands at the January meeting of the Carlow Municipal District.

Mr Knowles said: “We have got through numerous getaways at the moment with the Department.

“We’re still at another gateway which is the financial assessment. That will be completed by the end of the month and I’m sure they’ll have a few questions in relation to things.

“We’re hoping we’ll get the information back as soon as possible to them to progress it to the next stage.”

He said that the next stage would be for the council to appoint a consultant to bring the project to the “handover stage”.

Mr Knowles added that the water activity hub will be “a huge benefit and resource for Carlow town”.

He concluded by outlining when he believes construction will start on the project.

“All going well, I envisage that we have a consultant appointed to bring it to handover stage and we could be going to construction on this with a contractor appointed by Q4 2026.”

This news was welcomed by the elected members, including the Mayor of Carlow, Cllr Paul Doogue.

Fianna Fáil councillor Fintan Phelan described it as “a big infrastructure project” that councillors have “been waiting a long time for”.

Carlow County Council has said that the centre will “enhance the town’s relationship with its river”, while supporting local tourism and the regional economy.

The council added that the development highlights its commitment to creating “vibrant, accessible recreational spaces” that encourage active lifestyles and foster community pride.