£1m watersports park plan

£1m watersports park plan

22 February 2017

PLANS to develop a £1m watersports park in Carryduff will be unveiled to the public today.

Artists impressions for the water park, which would be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, will be on display at the Ivanhoe Hotel from 3pm-8pm to launch a 12-week pre-planning consultation process.

The proposed development, centred on the disused Knockbracken reservoir, includes an aqua park, water polo park, cable park, boathouse and jetty, running tracks and a glamping site.

It is estimated it would create 10 full-time and 20 seasonal jobs, with 20 more jobs created during the construction phase.

The project is being spearheaded by the owner of the Argento jewellery chain, Peter Boyle, who recently purchased the reservoir.

A keen watersport enthusiast himself, he said the scheme represented a significant investment that would attract visitors and tourists into Belfast, while adding to the facilities already on offer.

He said he was working with renowned watesport company Rixen to deliver the first class scheme.

“The park will include very cool facilities such as a wake-boarding cable park, aqua park, and glamp site,” he said.

“The reservoir itself is set in a great and very accessible location with stunning views across the city and beyond.

“As part of this 12-week community consultation process, we welcome anyone interested in seeing the plans to come and view the information that will be on display in the Ivanhoe. 

“We are already greatly encouraged by the very positive response we have to our plans and the excitement for this new tourist attraction right in the heart of the city.”

The water park masterplan is expected to be submitted to Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council for consideration in the next few months.