The Atlantis-themed leisure centre, currently under construction in a disused local factory is the brainchild of businessman Brendan McCormick, who, along with his wife Tara, already runs the Funtasia fairground in Bettystown. "The only similar water park in the EU is at Alton Towers in Britain. It will be the first time such a variety of adventure and leisure activities have been brought together under one roof anywhere in Europe."

Design experts from Europe and the US are constructing the 2,000sq ft leisure facility, which will be housed in the former Bissell factory at the Dunmore Road industrial estate. The new leisure centre will employ over 100 staff and is expected to attract up to 250,000 visitors a year.

Funtasia also operate the Whitworth Leisure Centre in Drogheda's Laurence Street, where 120 full-time staff are employed and which has succeeded in attracting over 250,000 visitors a year since it opened three years ago.

McCormick is anxious to ensure the new venture doesn't clash with his already established entertainmentbased businesses.

"The company is not building another Funtasia. We are conscious of not conflicting with our original business.

We intend offering our customers something different, fun but more sports orientated."

While some features in the development are being designed with adults in mind, the multi-level water park will be aimed primarily at families and children up to 16 years of age. The children's play area, described as the second biggest in Europe, will be large enough to cater for up to 500 children at one time.

As well as the pirate ship, the attractions will include a variety of tornado and boomerang slides and a specially constructed submarine.

Water levels in this section of the facility will be strictly regulated to ensure a maximum depth of no more than 10 inches.

Adult facilities will include a diving pool with special breathing apparatus available for people with no previous underwater experience. The interior climbing wall will feature a variety of artificial rock faces, graded to cater for visitors with different levels of athletic ability. An aerial assault course, where adult visitors suspended from ropes will be assailed by a variety of obstacles, is also under construction.

McCormick describes the location as ideal, with easy motorway access and ample space for car parking. He intends to advertise the venture extensively in the hope of attracting visitors from as far away as Belfast. As well as appealing to families, it's anticipated the facility will attract corporate groups.

McCormick says he resisted the temptation to locate his new venture in Dublin and opted instead for Drogheda which he describes as "the best business town in Ireland".

The Atlantis fun park is expected to open in May of next year.

New leisure centre for Mell Meanwhile, also in Drogheda, a new leisure centre is being planned for the M1 retail park at Mell. At least 50 new jobs are expected to be created at the centre, which will include swimming pools, a health spa, a fitness studio, a golf performance centre, a sports injury clinic and a restaurant with a roof terrace. There will be a 25-metre pool, a children's pool, a hydrotherapy pool, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.