Big new complex planned for Dundalk !!

[comethekingdom]

Looks like we could be heading up to Dundalk for a spot of gambling and a bit of craic.

New complex could create 1,500 jobs

Monday November 23 2009

Ambitious plans have been unveiled for a €430m ski, casino and all-weather tourism complex near the border.

Developers claim about 1,500 jobs will be created at the Altitude snow sports and leisure centre just outside Dundalk over the next seven years.

Investors are also banking on the Government loosening gambling laws, clearing the way for a casino with the entire complex potentially attracting six million people a year.

Sam Curran, one of the developers, said the centre will be built in phases with the ski facility one of the first to open.

"We've done very extensive work over the last 30 months to fine-tune what we include in our plans," he said.

"We are completely satisfied that the mix of different elements we propose will prove a compelling attraction, not only to the regional and national market across the island of Ireland but also to overseas visitors.

"The elements we will provide are not available at any other single site in Ireland or the UK while many of the individual parts also have no direct comparison here at present."

The development is planned for a 29 acre site just off the M1 Dublin-Belfast motorway at Dowdallshill, Dundalk.

It will include ski and nursery slopes; a 100-plus bed family hostel; 110,000-sq ft indoor concert arena; cinema, tenpin bowling and children's zone; 40,000-sq ft surf and swim centre; sports and leisure stores, restaurants and bars. Later phases will include additional hotel accommodation and the international casino.

Developers claim it will create 1,198 full-time and 388 casual direct jobs. It is hoped work can begin early next year with the first attractions due to open in the first half of 2011 and other phases to be introduced over the next five years.

Press Association

[Orior]

I wonder did they consider the Butlins site?

[Gnevin]

Seems to the latest way to get planning . Propose something totally over the top . Drop that you didn't want . Council looks like they didn't cave developer get what they really wanted. Sure I've heard of similar plans in Limerick just last week.

[comethekingdom]

I wonder did they consider the Butlins site?

They'll probably try to keep it as close to Dundalk as possible so that the nordies won't have to travel too far.

[Hurler on the Bitch]

How come the Corrs came from Dundalk? Jesus that one has always got to me. Not the brother though.