Insurance costs could scupper Mayo aqua park proposal

The planned aqua park at Lough Conn is in danger of not going ahead due to insurance costs.

That was the message delivered by Councillor Michael Loftus at the May monthly meeting of Ballina Municipal District today.

Councillor Loftus thanked the head of Ballina MD, Declan Turnbull, and the director of services for the region, Tom Gilligan, for their work in relation to the aqua park but revealed that insurance cover had become a 'major issue' for the proposed project.

He said 21 insurance providers had been contacted in relation to the park – which would be one of the biggest in Europe if developed at the Crossmolina – but it had not been possible to get a quote. Mr. Gilligan is trying to achieve insurance cover through IPB Insurance, the leading insurer in protecting local authorities in Ireland.

“If insurance is what's going to stop the project then someone needs to start doing something nationally on it,” Councillor Loftus stated.

All going well, the provider of the park, Fionn O'Carroll, would hope to have it up and running by August 1. Planning has been submitted to Mayo County Council.

Councillor John O'Hara urged the council to help as much as possible with the proposed project, as did Councillor Annie May Reape, who noted that there always seems to be 'some kind of stickler' with such things.