Marina plan to go ahead

Following an unsuccessful appeal to the planning authorities, the long-awaited marina for Dun Laoghaire Harbour now appears certain to go ahead. Today sees the deadline for tenders for the management operation expire with four separate groups expected to submit their proposals to the recently formed semi-state company that administers the harbour.

A target date of 2001 seems to be the most realistic time-frame for the completion of the project while the winner of the tender process should be known by early spring. After nearly two decades of faltering progress towards modernisation of leisure facilities at the port, the new millennium seems certain to herald a fresh era for sailors and boating in Dun Laoghaire.

Various projects have been suggested in recent years. In 1987, redevelopment of the coal harbour area seemed to receive a favourable reception though the number of berths can be seen as modest compared to the scale of the most recent plan. Lack of public and political support eventually halted further progress at that time.

A second major initiative took place some years later when the National YC and Royal St George YC joined forces to propose the redevelopment of the Carlisle Ferry Pier and the inclusion of a marina facility beside the East Pier. While this project also failed to generate sufficient interest outside of sailing circles, the start of proper consultation about the future of the harbour soon followed.

Eventually, a comprehensive study that consulted widely produced a report for the complete development of the harbour. Under-pinning the financial viability of the port was deemed to be the priority and facilitating the major revenue customer, the ferry operator Stena Line. Following completion of state-of-the-art facilities for the HSS craft, attention focused on leisure facilities.

While Ireland has a significant reputation overseas for the quality of event management, international regattas on Dublin Bay hosted by Dun Laoghaire clubs have been severely limited in terms of numbers and types of boats catered for.

In the last 10 years, two Dragon Gold Cups events, J24 World and European Championships, Fireball and Flying Fifteen Championships have all seen welcome fleets of around 100 boats in action.

However, the attraction of a marina facility catering for up to 600 boats will transform the area's potential. While an event on the scale of Ford Cork Week can easily be considered - a Dun Laoghaire Week has been in the planning for the last three years, other major international regattas could easily be enticed to the area given the attraction and popularity of the Dublin region.

Sufficient numbers of participants taken with regular major events each year are certain to kick-start the complimentary small-industry and employment opportunities that can be witnessed at every such venue around the world. The passing of today's deadline for the tendering process marks the countdown towards that long-awaited vision becoming a reality.