Center Parcs has signed a contract with Gas Networks Ireland to extend the natural gas network to its new holiday village at Newcastle Wood, Ballymahon, Co. Longford. The new gas network extension will bring natural gas into County Longford for the first time and will provide Center Parcs with a secure, reliable and competitive source of fuel for the lifetime of the project.
Center Parcs CEO Martin Dalby, commented, “The significant investment Center Parcs has made in this critical piece of infrastructure will result in a mains gas supply being brought into County Longford for the first time. I have stated from the very outset of this project that Center Parcs would have a transformative effect on both County Longford and the wider Midlands region and it is now up to all the relevant authorities to make sure that the region makes the most of the huge economic benefits that this pipeline and the Center Parcs development will bring.”
Managing Director of Gas Networks Ireland Liam O’Sullivan responded by saying that Center Parcs' "investment in Ballymahon has created the opportunity for us to make this extension possible. Design work is now underway and construction of the network extension will commence early next year, with the extension expected to be completed by the end of 2018.”
Longford County Council CEO Paddy Mahon also expressed his enthusiasm about the announcement, stating, "Today's news that Center Parcs are contributing significantly towards bringing the natural gas network to our county represents a major milestone in the economic development of County Longford.”
Center Parcs Longford Forest is due to open in 2019 and will employ approximately 1000 people with capacity for up to 2,500 guests. Center Parcs estimates that, when operational, the new holiday village will add about €32 million to Irish GDP per annum.
