Business Proposes Plan To Turn Marina Area Into Adventure Tourism Facility

Posted by
Rose Thanksgiving 1

.

Marina

The Marina/Canal area could have huge untapped tourism potential.

A LOCAL business made a presentation to Tralee Municipal District councillors on Monday which could see the canal area become the focus of a major tourism centre.

An ‘Urban Beach’, kayaking, seafood trails, raft racing and much more were suggested as possibilities for development, by Michaela and John Edwards, who run a local adventure activity business, Wild Water Adventures.

Continued below…

CBS New Insert

.

It would transform the town into an adventure tourism destination. They said Tralee is in ideal position to fully utilise its unique location on the Wild Atlantic Way.

The services which could be provided on the canal include kayaking tours of the canal and Tralee bay, stand-up paddle boarding, open water swim coaching and races, marathon swimming, an adventure race, linking Tralee to the proposed Fenit Greenway Project where people could kayak to the village from the canal and then cycle back via the new walkway/cycleway. An ‘Urban Beach’, or outdoor swimming area for the public is also a possibility.

They say this could be a source of employment with the empty units in the Marina building being utilised as shops and cafes, it will result in more tourists staying in town and spending in hotels, bars and restaurants.

Cllr Toireasa Ferris had a motion before the Council on Monday where she asked that the canal area be improved and developed to provide opportunity for tourism and other developments.

Council Management said significant investment is taking place at the canal area with the pathway upgraded, widened and made accessible to all users. There are plans to repair two gates at the canal at a cost of €20,000 which would bring the canal lock back into full operation. They say control of the water levels is key to the ongoing usage of the canal as an amenity area.

One Comment

  1. I can just imagine !!! Swimming around in the dirty canal water ..only in Kerry! I am just back from the Canary Islands and the beaches and water sports there are second to none if we are trying to compete we better do a lot more then the dirty canal – maybe start by cleaning it up !!! then think of a business plan !!

image