THE DEVELOPERS OF a new all-weather ski complex planned for the Dundalk in Co Louth hope to have the first phase open next year.

Louth County Council has granted planning permission for the project which will be built by developers Innovative Leisure Systems (ILS) which claims that it will be Europe’s largest snowflex ski slope facility.

The project is the brainchild of entrepreneur Sam Curran, 62, whose says his Altitude Ski resort will eventually include water attractions and other leisure facilities including a possible casino.

Curran believes that the location of the project is  strategically placed between two major population centres in Dublin and Belfast and says the idea came from similar projects in Dubai.

The main ski slope will be 210 metres long and 64 metres wide and be located on top of the roof of the complex. The carpet-like surface will allow for skiing and snowboarding provided users are qualified.

A junior ski slope will also be available where people can learn to ski and Curran hopes the set up similar facilities in other parts of the country.

The project is being financed by a consortium of international investors and Curran believes that it will eventually attract 6.2 million visitors every year and generate €216 million worth of economic activity.

The project has faced considerable local opposition on environmental grounds and because there is a proposal to eventually house a casino there but Curran said:

Most of the people have had their say now. We’ve spent €100 million on a proposal and planning submission so we can’t answer any more questions.

Now it is about creating jobs and giving people in Ireland this opportunity when they are not able to get away on foreign holidays.

It is estimated that the development will provide around 1,200 full time jobs and 380 part time jobs.

The ski slopes are scheduled to be operational in November 2012 with the water and leisure park aspect of the facility to follow in 2013.

A 100-bed hostel, indoor concert arena, leisure zone including a cinema, 10-pin bowling and children’s zone, as well as shops, restaurants and bars, are also envisaged.

The company plans to seek permission for an international casino at a later stage with it hoped that all stages of the development will be open by 2016.

No one from Louth County Council was available to comment at the time of publication.

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