Construction firms invited to bid for contract to build long-awaited East Cork water sports centre

Construction firms are being invited to bid for the contract to build Youghal’s long-awaited €1.5m water sports centre at Claycastle Beach.

Cork County Council seeks tenders for the project, which got approval earlier this year. 

Contractors have until August 28 to submit bids for the 12-month construction contract.

The call for contractors marks the next step for a project aimed at transforming facilities for swimmers, surfers, and other water users at one of East Cork’s most popular beaches.

The single-storey building will be constructed in the car park at the entrance to Claycastle Beach. 

It will include changing rooms, indoor and outdoor showers, toilets, lockers, wash-down areas, semi-covered induction spaces and accessible facilities for people with disabilities.

Around 25 parking spaces will be removed to make way for the building, although the council has said about 225 spaces will remain.

The facility has been designed to withstand coastal flooding, with the building raised above predicted tidal flood levels and fitted with flood-resilient materials, elevated electrical systems and non-return valves.

The development also cleared an environmental challenge earlier this year after three local residents asked An Coimisiún Pleanála to require a full Environmental Impact Assessment. 

An inspector concluded the 58sq m building, located within the existing hard-surfaced car park, was not likely to have significant environmental effects.

Cork County Council has said the new centre will provide essential facilities to support growing water-based recreation and tourism at Claycastle Beach, one of the county’s busiest seaside destinations.