A delegation from Restore Fenit Diving Boards Campaign (RFDBC) held a very constructive, cordial and positive meeting with officials from Kerry County Council to consider the restoration of the diving boards at the bathing slip in Fenit, Tralee, Co. Kerry. The meeting took place at Áras an Chontae, Rathass, Tralee on Monday, 22nd January at 10.30am. The meeting was chaired by Mayor of Tralee, Norma Foley, who was instrumental in bringing the two parties together. Liam Doyle, Paddy Kissane, Mike O Neill, John Edwards and Billy Ryle were the members of the delegation while Kerry County Council was represented by Michael Scannell, Manager, Tralee Municipal District, Jean Foley, Municipal District Officer, Vincent Foley, Municipal Insurance Officer and Frank Hartnett, Municipal District Engineer..
In a wide reaching and comprehensive power point presentation, the members of the RFDBC retraced the almost 100yr tradition of diving at the bathing slip in Fenit. They put forward a compelling argument as to why the time was opportune to restore the diving boards. They explained why Failte Ireland’s recognised the diving boards as an integral component of Fenit’s aqua-tourist infrastructure on Kerry’s Wild Atlantic Way coastal route.
The presentation showed how the restoration of the diving boards was totally consistent with Kerry County Council Tourism Strategy 2016-2022, a major objective of which is to promote North Kerry as a ‘Family Friendly Location’ as well as promoting family friendly tourism by increasing the number of aqua-sport activities for children and teenagers.
The delegation outlined the detailed technical work carried out over a six month period and presented a number of feasibility stage sketch designs of the new diving boards. The presentation concluded with a suggested agenda and timeline for progressing to the next stage of the project.
A detailed but amiable question and answer session with the officials followed the presentation. The officials acknowledged the quality of the presentation. The officials gave a commitment to examine the feasibility of the project from the perspective of design, cost and insurance. Mayor Foley suggested a period of four weeks for Kerry Council to explore the project. She will then convene a further meeting.
RFDBC delegates were very pleased with the meeting and the willingness of the officials to recognise the added value of the diving boards to the tourist infrastructure of the county. The delegates fully appreciate that Kerry County Council needs some time to have the project forensically examined by its own officials. RFDBC looks forward to the next meeting in four weeks’ time when, hopefully, further progress can be made in restoring the diving boards at the bathing slip in Fenit.
