€ 300m resort project will create 1,500 jobs
VISITORS TO TOWN COULD SOON BE HITTING SKI SLOPES
(Above) An artist's impression of how the Snowflex complex will look, which will be located on the Inner Relief Road. (Inset) Sam Curran, Director of ILS.
Related Articles
A € 300 million flagship dry ski slope, snowboarding and holiday leisure facility is set to be created in Dundalk with the potential to create 1,500 long term jobs. The announcement was made yesterday ( Tuesday) by local company, Innovative Leisure Systems Ltd (ILS Ltd) who have joined forces with British company Briton Engineering Developments for the huge development, to be the largest of its kind in Europe.
'The Altitude resort, with such impressive facilities as a Snowflex slope, will undoubtedly transform the economy of Dundalk and the whole area. It will generate thousands of permanent and seasonal jobs for the area when fully operational,' said Sam Curran, director of ILS Ltd.
This futuristic looking image illustrates the scale of the scheme proposed for a 140 acres of land, situated on the Inner Relief Road, beside Dundalk Stadium.
Mr Curran told the Argus that they intend to lodge an application for planning permission with Dundalk Town Council in the coming months.
'If permission is granted we would intend to have the ski slopes constructed and open by the end of 2010, and the waterworld development by Spring 2011.'
The proposed development will provide a unique blend of indoor and outdoor leisure, entertainment and adventure facilities together with a large range of top international retailing, fine dining, late night entertainment, and accommodation opportunities, and has been billed as a place truly to 'stay and round.'
The ambitious project will include building 13,500 sqm Snowflex ski slope facility, indoor events arenas, indoor and outdoor adventure park with climbing, caving, ropes courses, children's play areas, white water rafting and canoe slalom course.
It is also set to include a major family entertainment centre offering the latest attractions, and Ireland's first interactive golf driving range. Accommodation will include a family hotel, five star resort hotel, 'state of the art' casino, spa facilities, and quality self catering holiday lodges.
Making the announcement yesterday, ILS Ltd and Briton Engineering described the development as 'a resort that will encompass all the latest technologies to improve sustainability, energy exchange/recovery.
- Olivia RYAN
