An artist’s impression of the climbing wall which is to be built at the Tralee Wetlands.
MAYOR of Tralee Municipal District of Kerry County Council, Cllr Jim Finucane signed the contract for the construction of a 9m high Climbing Wall and toddler playground at the Tralee Bay Wetlands Centre on Wednesday morning.
The €130,000 contract, which will be carried out by Browne Brothers Site Services Ltd. Loughlee, Carrigadrohid, Co Cork, will begin immediately and is expected to be finalised by March 2015.
The state of the art Climbing Wall will offer a variety of colour-coded climbing lanes, each with a differing levels of difficulty, while special features will allow those with physical disabilities the opportunity to participate by assisted climbing.
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A climb to the top will offer fantastic views of the panoramic surrounding areas, while those less adventurous will be able to enjoy the three metre high climbing boulders. The wall and climbing boulder complex will be suitable for people from five years upward and incorporates an automated safety feature to prevent sudden drops.
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According to the Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr John Brassil, this new addition will add greatly to the leisure facilities on offer by the Tralee Bay Wetlands. “Since the Centre opened in May 2012 we have already seen over 80,000 visitors through its gates,” he said. “It is proving hugely popular for visitors from home and abroad and has really added to what Tralee can offer visitors.”
Mayor of Tralee, Cllr Jim Finucane stated that it showed how Councils can play their part in improving the tourist product on offer. “The vision by Tralee Town Council to bring this project to fruition was amazing and now Kerry County Council’s Tourism Unit is advancing the Centre even further,” he said.
“With the Climbing Wall and the Toddler Playground, it will greatly enhance the centre’s very popular activity area and complement its existing offerings of both the light Watersports activity lake and nature wetlands zone.”
This project is funded through the ‘SportNation Initiative’ from IPB Insurance and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Kerry County Council and the former Tralee Town Council.
