Tanaiste briefed on jobs aspect of Altitude project
DIRECTORS OUTLINE POTENTIAL OF THE DEVELOPMENT
Mary Coughlan TD, An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, has been briefed on the employment creation potential of Altitude, the 430m leisure development in Dundalk.
With a planning application and detailed environmental and economic impact studies to be lodged with Louth Local Authorities before Christmas for the site just off the M1 at Dowdallshill, the project's promoters briefed Ms Coughlan on the major economic impact the development can have during the construction phase and, particularly, when operational.
Sam Curran, director, Innovative Leisure Systems Ltd – the Dundalk company currently finalising plans for Altitude - said 'job creation is obviously a major challenge at the moment as Ireland looks for a way out of the economic doldrums.
'DKM Economic Consultants estimate Altitude will deliver an average of 400 jobs on-site during the construction phase while 1,198 full-time and 388 part-time direct jobs will come on stream as all of the various elements become operational on a phased basis between 2011 and 2016.
'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 full and part-time staff.'
Pearse O'Hanrahan, also a director of ILS Ltd who joined Mr Curran and other members of the project team at the meeting with the Tánaiste, added: 'There will be a hugely positive impact on the Irish Exchequer from both the construction and operation of Altitude and Ms Coughlan was certainly engaged by our vision for the project and our assessment of how its strategic location can help ensure Altitude's success as an allisland destination with appeal to Irish and overseas visitors.
Having studied as a chemical engineer and later become an accountant, Mr Curran has considerable prior experience of managing large-scale and complex projects in sectors ranging from production engineering to power generation. In property development, he was centrally involved in delivering Dundalk Retail Park; the JJB Soccer Dome and, in 2006, the Dundalk Icedome project.
Mr O'Hanrahan has been a director of Bord Gáis Éireann for seven years and chairs its investment and infrastructure committee. A former chairman of Dundalk Town Council, board member of Dundalk Chamber of Commerce and vice-chairman of Combat Poverty, he currently chairs Dundalk Port.
