Giant community spaces needed – not Giant gimmicks
Giant community spaces needed - not Giant gimmicks - The Labour Party
• Dubliners clear preference for a Lido in George’s Dock
Labour’s candidate in the Dublin Central bye-election Ruth O’Dea called for reconsideration to be given to transforming George’s Dock site for use as a lido or community space, rather than the latest ‘Giant proposal’ mooted.
O’Dea said:
“Dublin Central needs more public community spaces. There are ample tourist attractions in the area from the iconic GPO to cultural hotspots like the Cobblestone. Transforming the empty space in George’s Dock to a lido would be a game changer for our city, giving back to the community in Dublin Central, not to mention the benefits for physical and mental health.
“More than 2,000 submissions were made to a public consultation on George’s Dock earlier this year, with 70% of respondents favouring recreational use of the dock. There’s a clear desire to use this space for communities first.
“Cities across the UK and Europe have embraced state-of-the-art Lidos, and the results speak for themselves. These spaces have become hubs for wellbeing and recreation, drawing visitors and boosting local economies. A Dublin Central Lido could do the same, creating year-round activity that supports jobs and businesses. From local cafés to lifeguard teams, the economic ripple of a project like this could be immense.
“George’s Dock has effectively been abandoned. We need to have a greater imagination for our city and for the communities living there. As part of Labour’s 2024 General Election manifesto, the Labour Party made a clear commitment to develop Lidos in Dublin and Cork, as well as ensuring every town with a population greater than 5,000 has its own public swimming pool.”