Press Release
23/01/2002
Dr. James McDaid TD, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, today (Wednesday, 23rd January 2002) announced that work on the Aquatic and Leisure Centre on the State owned site at Abbotstown remains on schedule for completion by December of this year in accordance with the latest updates from Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Ltd (CSID).
The Centre will be available to host the aquatic events at next year's Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin. During that time around 7000 athletes and 3000 delegates and coaches will all be accommodated throughout Ireland.
The Pool at Abbotstown, which represents an Exchequer investment of over €62million, will feature international standard swimming and diving facilities designed for use by elite swimmers as well as by the public and also extensive leisure water facilities. It will be one of the world's largest indoor water centres and will comprise the following:
- a 50 metre international standard swimming pool
- an international standard diving pool/warm up pool
- extensive leisure waters including adventure water rides
- seating for 2500 spectators
- a fitness centre and cafes
The Pool will feature a moveable boom and floors to allow the pools to be reconfigured for leisure activities. Under the terms of the contract the 50 metre pool will be made available for agreed periods of time by the Operators for training Ireland's elite swimmers as well as emerging promising top class swimmers. The Pool will also be available to host Competitions. The facilities will be open to the public and will be of particular benefit to the communities of the North West Dublin area.
Work on the 8-acre site began last May on foot of a Letter of Intent issued by CSID pending completion of contract negotiations with the consortium selected to carry out the Project. These negotiations have now been completed by CSID and the Government has given its approval to CSID's proposal to sign the final contract with Rohcon - Waterworld UK - Dublin Waterworld Ltd.
CSID commenced an international competition for the contract in July
2000 by inviting tenders under the EU Public Procurement Directive to
participate in a Negotiated Procedure to design, build, finance, operate
and maintain an Aquatic and Leisure Centre on this site. Eight expressions
of interest were received. An assessment process identified five consortia
that were invited to submit Outline Bids, on the basis of which three
were selected to proceed to Detailed Negotiation stage:
- Waterworld UK - Rohcon with S&P Architects;
- Dublin International Arena Ltd (DIAL) and
- Prospero.
Panels including members of Campus and Stadium Ireland Development Ltd, the Office of Public Works, the Irish Sports Council, Fingal County Council, the National Coaching and Training Centre, Special Olympics 2003 and an international leisure and sports expert, assessed the bids.
The Assessment Panel recommended in December 2000 that the Waterworld-Rohcon proposal merited overall top ranking, and was also the lowest cost proposal submitted. Heads of Agreement were signed by Rohcon and Waterworld UK on 22 February 2001. Dublin Waterworld Ltd. (registered January 2001, incorporated 12 February 2001) was set up as a special purpose company in accordance with the terms of the tender, to act as operators of the pool on completion of the construction phase. Dublin Waterworld is a private company limited by shares and the shareholding is held by Waterworld UK, (4%) and the balance by three directors who have been involved in operating and managing water leisure facilities in Tralee (the Aquadome and the Tralee Swimming Pool).
Minister McDaid said "I am naturally very pleased that the Pool at Abbotstown is well on schedule for the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games. I look forward to the completion of the project when it will be available as a splendid training facility for Ireland's elite swimmers as well as an exciting water amenity for the people of Ireland and especially the local community of Blanchardstown "
Mary Davis, Chief Executive of 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games said "I have recently visited the site and I am delighted with the progress that has been made in a short space of time. The Special Olympics World Summer Games will be the largest sporting event in the world in 2003 and the availability of the Pool at Abbotstown will ensure that the swimming events will be a great success."
ENDS