A MAJOR development plan is set to take place at one of Ireland’s most popular holiday resorts – and it will spark the creation of hundreds of new jobs.
The mega holiday resorts chain Center Parcs has announced a €100 million development at its Longford Forest location.
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The fan favourite resort offers its guests a luxury break with tonnes of activities in a forest setting.
The upcoming development, beginning in September, will add 198 lodges, including four luxury treehouses that will boost the resort’s capacity to 3,500 guests per break.
New facilities include a restaurant, an additional coffee house, and extensions to the resorts current restaurants and leisure facilities.
Center Parcs UK & Ireland CEO Colin McKinlay said the move comes after a massive increase in guests coming to the holiday hotspot.
He said: “Year on year, we have seen an increase in the number of guests we have welcomed to Longford Forest and many returning families who have really taken Center Parks into their hearts.
“At Center Parks we feel so fortunate to be geographically located in the heart of Ireland and have the support of the local community.”
The resorts hugely popular subtropical swimming paradise will be expanded, and it is set to see thousands of more guests once completed.
Aqua Sana, the resort’s spa will see additional new treatment rooms along with a brand new Treetop Sauna that will bring the spa experience to new heights.
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This development project is set to create 300 construction jobs in Longford, and a further 250 permanent jobs once complete
Colin added: “We are thrilled to be able to create even more opportnities for them and boost the local economy even further.”
Sustainability is said to be a major focus of this development project, with an air source heat pump-led network to power all the new lodges.
High efficiency LED lighting and solar PV will be used to power the new buildings, and it’s set to save 4,100,000kWh of gas per year.
Economic boost
Center Parcs has had a major impact on Ireland’s economy, generating a whopping €58 million between April 2023 and April 2024.
Since opening in 2019, the resort has contributed €23 million in Exchequer revenue and has created over 1300 jobs with 60 pc of employees from Longford.
The hugely popular resort is known for its luxurious services, and 90 pc of all customers rate their stay as excellent or good.
It sits on 400 acres of woodland, and has 466 lodges and 30 apartments which accommodates 2,500 guests every break.
Center Parcs also currently offers over 100 activities, a range of restaurants and spa retreats.
To checkout availability options this summer, go to their website www.centerparcs.
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