Argento boss Boyle splashes out on watersports centre

The £1 million project backed by the Argento boss will see the redevelopment of Knockbracken Reservoir on the Saintfield Road which was sold recently by Northern Ireland Water.

The project will create 20 jobs during construction, 10 full time jobs and an additional 20 seasonal jobs and will include an aqua park, water polo park, cable park, boathouse and jetty, running tracks and ‘glamping’ site.

Subject to planning approval, the development is expected to see a significant number of new leisure and tourist facilities come to Belfast, adding to a growing tourism offering in the city and bringing more visitors to the area.

The masterplan and a range of other information will be on show at the community exhibition at the Ivanhoe Hotel in Carryduff.

“This is a significant investment and one that I know will bring visitors and tourists into Belfast and contribute to a growing tourist offering in the city,” said Mr Boyle who is a keen watersports enthusiast himself.

“The waterpark itself will be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and we are working with renowned watersports company Rixen to deliver this first class scheme.

“The park will include very cool facilities such as a wakeboarding cable park, aqua park, and glamp site. The reservoir itself is set in a great and very accessible location with stunning views across the city and beyond.

“As part of this 12 week community consultation process, we are welcoming anyone interested in seeing the plans to come and view the information that will be on display in the Ivanhoe.

“We are already greatly encouraged by the very positive response we have to our plans and the excitement for this new tourist attraction right in the heart of the city.”