Plan to deliver on 'untapped potential' of Coosan Point

Westmeath County Council has advertised for a contractor to help oversee a redevelopment of the Coosan Point amenity area in Athlone.

The local authority said the popular lakeside spot had been developed in a “piecemeal” fashion over the years and, as a result, “its potential has not been fully realised”.

The council, in partnership with Waterways Ireland, has now advertised for a civil engineering consultancy to “maximise the amenity value of existing assets” and to supervise “the delivery of a masterplan” for the redevelopment of Coosan Point.

The proposed work in the area is due to include “improved traffic management and parking,” and “improved management of in-water activities”.

Safety concerns have been voiced over the years about the lack of segregation between swimmers and people operating boats, jet skis, and other water craft at Coosan Point.

In a project brief, which was issued as part of the tendering process for a civil engineering consultancy to work on the Coosan Point redevelopment, the council stipulated that the masterplan for the area should include “formal segregation between the various users of the water”.

It said this would necessitate “designated swimming and rowing areas, boating areas, motorised water sports areas, etc,” and it “may require an extension or other alterations to the public jetty or the introduction of other on-water structures”.

The council said the future of the area should include “the development of the green space as an amenity centrepiece,” which could include “the introduction of trails, seating, ornamental plants, sculptures, etc.”

In addition, “formal traffic management arrangements” are proposed for the car parking area at Coosan Point. “Any such arrangements would need to cater for all users of the carpark area,” the council said.

Earlier this summer, a meeting of the council’s Environment Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) heard that a bid to have Coosan Point become a designated bathing area was turned down because it was deemed unsafe.

An Irish Water safety auditor concluded that there was “way too much conflict going on there” for it to be safe for bathing, senior engineer Ciaran Jordan told the meeting.

Civil Engineering contractors have until September 4 to submit their bids to work on the Coosan Point redevelopment, and the successful contractor is due to be appointed by September 13.