Westmeath County Council, in partnership with Fáilte Ireland through the EU Just Transition Fund, is seeking public and stakeholder input on the proposed Athlone Boardwalk and Outdoor Swimming Pool town-centre regeneration project on the River Shannon. Cooney Architects have been contracted to undertake the delivery of the project design and planning, with a view to submitting a planning application in 2026.

The project aims to provide a boardwalk linking the Athlone – Dublin Greenway to Burgess Park and beyond and provide an urban outdoor pool facility in the River Shannon.

In summary, the project aims to create a high-quality, universally appealing amenity that enhances the local community health and wellness, supports businesses and tourism while facilitating the region's transition to a carbon-neutral destination. Your feedback will help determine the final scale, design and location of the proposed public amenity.

A feasibility study has been undertaken by the design team, outlining the boardwalk route, and determining feasible pool location options to be assessed as part of the further design process. Four emerging pool locations have been determined and are Illustrated below in this survey.

This online survey is being distributed widely to get your views at this stage. Your inputs into the questions below will take about 10mins max to complete. This survey will close on 9th February, 2026.

Thank you in anticipation of your time and consideration.
Further information: Westmeath County Council regen@westmeathcoco.ie

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'Athlone Riverside Boardwalk and Outdoor Swimming Pool is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund'

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Section 1: About You

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1. The following questions will help ensure that we collect the views of people from all parts of the local community. Gender (please tick one box only):

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2. Age (please tick one box only)

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3. Ethnic group (please tick one box only to indicate which ethnic group you consider you belong to).

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4. Which of the following best describes you? (please tick one box only)

Section 2: General Perception and Objectives:

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5. Overall, how important do you think the proposed Athlone Boardwalk and Outdoor Swimming Pool project is for the regeneration of Athlone as a destination to live, work and visit?

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6. How important is it that a new boardwalk and swimming pool will integrate with existing cultural and historic assets? (please select one)

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7. To what extent do you agree that the project will enhance local tourism?

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8. To what extend do you agree that the project will support the region's transition to a carbon neutral destination?

Section 3: Boardwalk Specifics

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9. Are there any specific features you would like to see in the design of the proposed boardwalk?

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10. Please outline how you would likely use the boardwalk (please answer one response per option).

  Never Occasionally Regularly Often
Walking/ jogging / running to school/work/shops etc
Cycling to school/work/shops etc
Walking/ jogging / running for leisure or fitness
Cycling for leisure or fitness

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11. Do you have any observations regarding the boardwalk's integration with existing walking/cycling routes?

Section 4: Outdoor Swimming Pool Specifics

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12. What are your main priorities for the design of the outdoor swimming pool? Please select one option per priority listed below.

  Not important Neutral Important Very important
Safety measures
Accessibility
Water quality and maintenance
Aesthetic design
Changing facilities / amenities

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13. Which emerging pool location, identified in green on the illustration above, would be your preferred location, either P5, P6, P7 or P8 and why? Address both responses in the one text box below.

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14. Please use this space to outline any specific comments (e.g., environmental, access, visual impact) you have about the potential locations for the swimming pool.

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15. In addition to swimming what other water sports would you like to see facilitated in the design? (e.g. leisure boating, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, water bike, water polo)

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16. What other supporting facilities would you welcome? (e.g. showers, changing facilities etc.)

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17. How favourably disposed are you with the proposed project at this early stage? Please choose one options from the list below.

Please note that the information that you have provided will feed into our site selection process.
Section 5: Demographics and Final Thoughts

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18. Do you own or rent property along the route of the proposed boardwalk?

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19. If “Yes”, please specify the use of the property.

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20. In relation to the above, please provide any additional feedback or observations on the likely affect the proposed project may have on you?

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21. In conclusion, do you have any further comments or suggestions regarding the proposed Athlone Boardwalk and Outdoor Swimming Pool project that you would like Westmeath County Council to consider?

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22. Should you wish to be notified on project updates please provide your contact information in these final questions.

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23. Email address

Athlone Riverside Boardwalk and Outdoor Swimming Pool is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the EU Just Transition Fund
Thank you for your participation in this survey.
If you would like any further information please contact Westmeath County Council at regen@westmeathcoco.ie
Westmeath County Council are also currently engaging with community stakeholders on a related Burgess Park Master Plan. If you would like to input into this project you can do so through the following link: https://consult.westmeathcoco.ie/en/consultation/burgess-park-public-amenity-masterplan-project

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