Nottingham firm kicks off £210m Center Parcs project

Nottingham-based construction consultancy, Edmond Shipway, has formally marked the start of the £210m Center Parcs Longford Forest development in Ireland, on which it is appointed as project and cost manager and M&E engineer.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was joined by Center Parcs’ chief executive Martin Dalby, Edmond Shipway’s managing director David Stevenson and project director Ross Crowcroft as he planted an oak tree on site on Friday. During his visit it was confirmed that the works are firmly on track for the scheduled summer 2019 opening, with the remaining lodges and central facilities buildings tenders received.

Center Parcs plans to create up to 1,000 permanent full and part-time jobs once the resort opens, in addition to the 750 temporary positions that are due to come on stream during the construction phase.

Varadkar said of the project: “This exciting development by Center Parcs represents a significant investment in the Irish economy, and especially in tourism. The investment is almost certainly the biggest in the region’s history.”

Dalby added: “We have always said this project would have a transformative effect on the midlands region and we have already seen signs of the positive economic impact Center Parcs is having on the area“.

Stevenson said: “I am delighted that, with all principal contract tenders now received, the scheme remains on budget despite the heat in the Irish market and volatility in the exchange rates – a credit to our commercial team. Preparation works are well underway, with trees felled, our road network established and lodge foundations and utilities installation ongoing. The site is fully established to receive the lodge and central facilities contractors and we remain confident that we will be able to deliver the scheme on time and to budget as achieved with Center Parcs Woburn Forest.”