Thousands push for outdoor swimming pool in Dublin’s docklands as pandemic highlights lack of public facilities

The petition is urging councilors to consider installing a pool instead of a white water-rafting facility.

Over 3,000 people have signed a petition urging Dublin City Council to install an outdoor swimming pool in the Docklands. The petition comes after the Government refused to fund the proposed white-water rafting facility in George's Dock. The Change.org petition underlines the importance of public spaces that are accessible to the entire community. It reads: "We propose the conversion of the space at George’s Dock into a large, public, outdoor swimming facility, for all Dubliners, accessible to all abilities. George’s Dock is the perfect location for such a proposal." The petition outlines how multiple European cities run heated outdoor pools successfully, including London, Berlin and Moscow. It added that 7% of adults swim every week, which amounts to 230,000 people. On top of that, the campaign claims that Ireland's experience of Covid-19 restrictions has highlighted the lack of public spaces and meeting points in our cities. The campaigners also note how public opinion has been largely against the proposed white-water rafting facility. Moreover, the petition cites the financial case for a public outdoor swimming pool. It reads: "Daily users of a Lido at George's Dock would be a large multiple of anything at a white-water rafting centre. The business case for the George's Dock Lido makes financial sense, but also services a public interest at its core, whereas DCC's current proposal does not." It concludes: "Given the unique historic setting of George's Dock, with the right design, the George's Dock Lido could become a truly exceptional municipal asset for Dublin. Citizen voices should be heard and a public consultation explored. "The recent public consultation on the redesign of College Green received over 3,900 submissions from members of public. The site could be sensitively designed to incorporate civic space and trees, accessible to non-swimming citizens."