A BRITISH company is behind a plan to build the State's largest leisure complex in Dublin. The complex, including an Olympic-sized 50-metre pool, is to be built on 30 acres of land in Coolock leased from Dublin Corporation.
The project, described as a "major development" by corporation planners, will employ 1,200 people during construction and 700 when open.
The project will cost £50 million. Dublin Corporation will initially be paid approximately £4 million for the lease and l0 per cent of net profits produced by the development in succeeding years.
The company behind the proposal, Landshap Ltd, a Liverpool- based leisure company which has worked on a number of similar schemes with local authorities in Britain, is expected to sign a lease next week.
The company will have to apply for planning permission to build on the site, but this has been made easier, as permission was granted some years ago to the company for a different development on the site. The corporation says it is confident building will take place this time.
On that occasion, an artificial ski slope was planned, but it was never built.
The lease for this new development will be signed early next week after final approval from a meeting of Dublin City Council.
Mr Matt Twomey, from Dublin's planning department, said the planning process was independent, but that the corporation "was strongly in favour of the proposal".
He said the facility "is badly needed and it is something which can be used by the whole community, unlike skiing which only interests a small group".
Mr Twomey said the resulting employment was badly needed in the area and added that the site had heen regarded as suitable for some kind of sporting or leisure development for a number of years.
The site is situated between Oscar Traynor Road and the Ml in Coolock and is currently covered by football pitches.
No indication has been given at this stage on whether local sporting organisations and community groups will he allowed to use the facilities.
One of the advantages of the site was its proximity to Santry stadium and a large residential population, said Mr Twomey.
He said he does not foresee any objections to the development when a planning application is made within the next four months.
Dublin investment company Stannifer Ltd, is one of the financial backers.
The development will feature a "water world" theme park along with the 50 metre pool.
A multi-screen cinema, a family entertainment centre, theme bars and restaurants, a health club, shop space, a night club, a hotel with conference facilities and ancillary car-parking are also planned.
Since Michelle Smith won three Gold medals at the Olympics last year, a number of business groups has expressed interest in building a 50-metre pool.
An Irish firm will be given the contract to build the complex and it is expected to take two years to construct.
The development will include internal roads, footpaths, ramps, landscaping, boundary treatment work and associated ancillary works.