County Councillors of south Donegal have welcomed the sanctioning of almost €2 million for essential refurbishment works at Bundoran Waterworld.
The works are required at the swimming complex before the summer 2025 season.
A meeting of the council yesterday gave the green light to a contribution of €1,991,623 from the council through the reassignment of a capital loan. SEAI grants of an estimated €350,000 will provide the balance.
The works include the expansion and upgrading of the changing village, replacement of the air handling unit, and ancillary design costs.
Waterworld, now open 34 years, employs three full-time, permanent staff year-round and 42 seasonal staff from Easter to the end of August each year.
Cllr Michael McMahon has shared his delight that the refurbishment works can proceed, issuing thanks to Garry Martin, Director of Services, who has been overseeing the council-owned facility for approximately two decades.
Cllr Michael Naughton added that Waterworld is a huge tourism attraction for Bundoran and is a great asset to the area.
Waterworld s acknowledged by businesses in the Bundoran and surrounding areas as the critical tourism product infrastructure that draws and holds day-visitors and longer stay tourists in the area. The challenging summer weather in 2024 was partially offset by this wet-weather facility, which enabled visitors to enjoy a key tourism attraction despite the conditions. Businesses in Bundoran widely agree that the Waterworld was a lifeline for many supporting businesses during the summer, attracting visitors who might not have come otherwise.