New heights for job creation
A PLANNING application for a multi-million Euro development which has the potential to create over 1,500 jobs and put Dundalk on the international map as a destination for leisure activities is due to be lodged with Louth County Council next week.
The promoters of 'Altitude', say that the development will create almost 1,200 full-time and more than 380 part-time jobs as it is completed over a seven year period to 2017.
With projected day and overnight visitor numbers of over 6.1m per annum, the € 430million 'Altitude' development will include an all-weather ski slope and nursery slopes; 100-plus bed family hostel; 110,000-sq ft indoor concert arenas; 80,000-sq ft leisure zone to include a cinema, 10-pin bowling and children's zone; 40,000-sq ft surf and water leisure dome and 80,000-sq ft of specialist sportsand leisure-related retail, restaurants and bars.
Later phases will include additional hotel accommodation and, once relevant legislation is in place, an international casino.
Sam Curran, director, Innovative Leisure Systems Ltd – the Dundalk company behind 'Altitude' – said that while the current economic climate poses challenges to any large-scale project, there are also opportunities to achieve greater value-for-money in delivering the ambitious scheme.
'There is,' he stressed, 'continued interest among international investors in backing first-rate projects based on a sound business plan – especially where these are located in high growth areas such as the Dublin-Belfast economic corridor.
'Innovation and drive are crucial to taking Ireland out of the economic doldrums – the same old solutions as before will no longer work and we can never again rely on unsustainable residential and retail property development.'
'Altitude is forecast to generate economic activity worth € 216m annually when the entire project is delivered and expenditure is estimated at approximately € 184m within the State on goods and services for the development. This will indirectly generate employment for a further 920 fulland part-time staff.
'We've been very encouraged by the level of support we've received. One of the messages we've had consistently in feedback is that this type of high impact development is what's required to help drive Ireland out of recession and on to more sustainable economic growth.'
Mr Curran has considerable experience of managing large-scale projects, and was involved in delivering Dundalk Retail Park, the JJB Soccer Dome and the Dundalk Icedome project.
Former chairman of Dundalk Town Council Pearse O'Hanrahan is also a director of Innovative Leisure Systems Ltd Éireann.
- Margaret RODDY
