LETTER: Reservations about planned waterpark

SIR – As increasing numbers of visitors descend on West Cork, there is a corresponding desire to capitalise from the new influx of people. After all, don’t we spend more while on holiday?

A key proposal in this respect is the proposal by the Lagoon Activity Centre for a floating waterpark at Rosscarbery lagoon. The new venture is a significant development because of its sensitive location and because, as your columnist states, it could be ‘Ireland’s biggest outdoor water park’ (The Southern Star, April 20^th).
Let me state at the outset that I think that the Lagoon Activity Centre has been an outstanding success. The pleasure boat facilities are popular and have a seamless interaction with other activities such as fishing and rowing. Nevertheless, I think that there should be more debate as to the way we want to market the inlets and harbours along the coast.

Surely, such a large plastic structure will intrude at this scenic location? And what about its other bits and pieces such as changing rooms, toilets and carparks? Adventure centres are a good idea in general, but it seems to me that the devil is in the detail.

And, admittedly, the current proposal is for a seasonal park, but I would hope that the epitaph that describes so many other resorts does not come to apply to Rosscarbery: ‘Oh, it’s been spoilt.’

Anthony Beese, 

Downeen,

Rosscarbery.