Design team sought for €15m contract to develop Lough Key Forest & Activity Park

An architect led design team is being sought for a €15m contract aimed at further enhancing the visitor experience at Lough Key Forest and Activity Park.

Coillte, in conjunction with Roscommon County Council, announced major plans last month to develop the flagship Roscommon park.

The state-owned commercial forestry business, which owns and runs the park, has now advertised the tender for a project design team on the Government’s online tenders platform.

The company is seeking to procure “an architect led integrated design team consultancy service” for the proposed development.

The brief includes architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services; architectural services for buildings, and buildings of particular historical or architectural interest; architectural services for building extensions and architectural services for outdoor areas.

The Coillte tender advert noted that “the overall objective is to develop the Lough Key Forest and Activity Park to increase the capacity of the park facilities, expand the accommodation on site, and widen the range of activities on site.” The time-limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate is September 30th and the contract duration will be approximately four years.

Among the range of enhancements being considered at the park are: an activity centre for children and adults; new forest experiences to further enhance the existing aerial adventures and tower experiences; an enhanced beach and swimming area at the lake; a meadow/lawn events area; expanded dining and on-site retail facilities offering local artisan foods and crafts; improved parking at the site.

The project is co-funded by the EU and the Government under the EU Just Transition fund. It has also received €1.2m from Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme.

Lough Key Forest and Activity Park offers 350 hectares of forest, semi-natural woodland and parkland set on Lough Key. It already draws thousands of visitors each year to the aerial forest adventures and electric bike trails, Boda Borg and Adventure Play Kingdom, kayaking and the boat tours on the lake, or to experience nature by walking through the woodlands and forest.