Funding of €7.5m awarded for regeneration of Athlone's riverside
Funding of €7.5 million has been awarded for town centre riverside regeneration work in Athlone, which is expected to include a new boardwalk and swimming pool in the River Shannon.
The funding award for the major regeneration project was announced this morning (Monday) as part of a €409 million national allocation under the Government's Towns and Cities Regeneration Investment Fund programme.
In addition, €150,000 was granted for the initial phase of the council's proposed streetscape enhancement project on the west side of town, known as the 'Athlone Tourism and Cultural Quarter'.
The proposed riverside boardwalk and swimming pool along the eastern river bank of the Shannon was previously awarded more than half a million euro in funding through the EU Just Transition Fund.
The council said the project will see the creation of a "high-quality riverside amenity enhancing recreation, tourism, and public life in the town".
This will include "a new riverside boardwalk along the east bank of the River Shannon", a "new outdoor urban swimming pool" in the river, and "enhanced public realm, recreation, and tourism amenities".
Local Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran warmly welcomed this morning's funding announcement and said further consultation would be taking place with the local community in advance of works being carried out.
“Today’s announcement is very welcome news for Westmeath," he said. "I am particularly pleased to see €7.5 million identified for the Athlone Riverside Cultural and Public Realm Regeneration Project.
"The River Shannon and our riverside are among Athlone’s greatest assets, and investment of this scale has the potential to make a real and lasting difference to the town.
"The €150,000 allocation towards the Athlone Tourism and Cultural Quarter will also help progress the planning and development work necessary to deliver further investment in the town," he added.
In Mullingar, €7.5 million was announced today for the Blackhall Place Regeneration Project, with a further €150,000 going towards the Mullingar Southwestern Quadrant Regeneration Framework/Priority Area Plan.