Center Parcs pledges to create 1,000 jobs in Longford
UK resort company Center Parcs has pledged to create 1,000 permanent jobs with the proposed creation of a holiday village at Newcastle Wood in Co Longford.
Another 750 jobs will be created during the construction phase, the company said.
Taoiseach says Center Parcs resort could create 1000 jobs in midlands - at Newcastle woods in Longford pic.twitter.com/XOpI4NH6o7
— Ciaran Mullooly (@ciaranmullooly) April 2, 2015
The 375-acre site of the development is located five kilometres from Ballymahon, Co Longford, 21 kilometres from junction 9 (Athlone) of the M6 motorway from Dublin to Galway, and is currently owned by State forestry company Coillte.
The new Center Parcs is expected to open to guests in 2019, subject to planning permission.
Red letter day...Excitement in Ballymahon ahead of Center Parcs €200m & 1,000 jobs announcement @Longford_Leader pic.twitter.com/7gGkvRJmzm
— Alan Walsh (@Dingero) April 2, 2015
Once open, the €200m development will have capacity for up to 2,500 guests.
Many of the projected 1,000 permanent jobs expected to be filled by employees between the ages of 18 and 24, with the majority of employees "likely to live locally".
The company estimates that, when operational, the new holiday village will add approximately €32m to Irish GDP per annum.
Center Parcs offers short breaks in a secluded woodland setting. The five Center Parcs in the UK consistently exceeding 97% year-round occupancy, the company said.
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The new development will include up to 500 lodges, more than 100 indoor and outdoor activities, a spa, a range of restaurants and cafés and the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, with water rides.
Public consultation and information meetings will take place in Ballymahon for local residents in due course and a planning application to Longford County Council will be prepared.
Speaking at today’s announcement, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: "The prospect of 750 construction and 1,000 permanent jobs is fantastic news for Co Longford and the Midlands.
"Center Parcs will provide a massive boost to the area and contribute significantly to the local and regional economy.
"This project is a perfect fit with our recently announced Tourism Policy Statement which aims to create 50,000 new jobs by 2025.
"Center Parcs’ family oriented, high quality, year-round facility will be a major addition to our national tourism infrastructure and I wish it every success."
Martin Dalby, CEO of Center Parcs, said: "We are thrilled and excited about the prospect of bringing the Center Parcs concept to families in Ireland.
"This new Center Parcs will have all of the ingredients that have made us so popular with families in the UK for the last 28 years and I am certain that Center Parcs will be a great success in Longford.
"We look forward to liaising closely with the local community during the next few months to fully share our vision and to explain the huge economic and social benefits that a Center Parcs holiday village will bring to the area.
"I am deeply grateful to An Taoiseach, the Irish Government, Coillte, Fáilte Ireland and Longford County Council for their encouragement and support for this project."
Gerry Murphy, Chairman of Blackstone Group International Partners LLP, said: "As owners of Center Parcs, Blackstone is delighted to be supporting this exciting project, which adds significantly to our investments in Ireland.
"We look forward to Center Parcs being built and to it generating substantial employment and economic benefits for the region and country as a whole."
Mark Foley, Managing Director of Coillte Enterprise, said: "Coillte is delighted to have been able to play its part in facilitating this major inwards investment opportunity through the sale of forest land to Center Parcs.
"Coillte is particularly pleased that this opportunity will deliver quality jobs in this exciting and sustainable tourism initiative.
"Tourism has been identified as a key sector for growth in jobs and Coillte, as Ireland’s largest provider of outdoor recreation, welcomes this major project."
