Center Parcs signs deal to bring gas to County Longford

• Company to contribute €3m towards extension of the gas network into Co Longford

Center Parcs today announced that it 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: “Securing a mains gas supply has always been a fundamental requirement for both the construction and the operation of our village and I am delighted to have finally secured it. 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, commented on the extension: “Gas Networks Ireland is delighted to extend the natural gas network to Center Parcs at Newcastle Wood in Co Longford. I would like to acknowledge the decisive role played by Center Parcs in facilitating the decision to bring natural gas to Co Longford. Their 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.Gas Networks Ireland will consult extensively with communities and landowners along the route as the project is being developed.”

CEO of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon, welcomed today's announcement saying: "Less than 12 months since planning approval we have already seen the many benefits of the Center Parcs development throughout County Longford. 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. The extension of the natural gas network to this holiday village will further enhance the Center Parcs project and ensure its longevity in the Longford region”.

Construction of Center Parcs Longford Forest is now well underway with infrastructure contractor Roadbridge now onsite undertaking earthworks and the construction of road and path networks, utilities, the drainage system and the lake as well as building platforms.

Center Parcs Longford Forest is due to open in 2019. Once open and operational, the €233m forest holiday village will employ approximately 1,000 people and will have capacity for up to 2,500 guests. Center Parcs estimates that, when operational, the new holiday village would add approximately €32 million to Irish GDP per annum.