Plans for a new Water Sports Centre have been announced today following approval for planning by Galway City Council.
The proposed centre will offer first-class facilities for Rowing, Kayak and Sub Aqua clubs at University of Galway and their 150-plus members.
The development has been approved for planning permission on a site on the western bank of the River Corrib, near the Alice Perry Engineering Building on the North Campus.
The new development will also house a gym, which will be open to other athletic clubs on campus, with the potential to cater for members of all other athletic clubs in the University.
President of University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, said investment of this nature enables the university to support students and coaches as well as their sporting endeavours.
“As a university on the Corrib, with longstanding, outstanding success on the water, it is our hope that enhanced facilities will empower excellence, further success and the wellbeing of our students,” said Prof Ó hÓgartaigh.
University of Galway Director of Sport Mike Heskin said the centre is designed to provide state-of-the-art training facilities for water sports that University of Galway has excelled in, both at national and international level.
“In 2022 our rowing club took home the biggest medal haul from the nationals. We are proud to have had two Olympians on our teams in recent years – Fiona Murtagh and Aifric Keogh. Now we have an opportunity to provide top grade facilities to help others excel.”