New €100 million development at Center Parcs to commence in September

A new €100 million development at Center Parcs, Longford, will begin in September, it has been confirmed.

The development includes the addition of 198 lodges, including four of Center Parcs’ most luxurious types of accommodation, and treehouses — increasing the capacity of the resort to approximately 3,500 guests per break.

Existing facilities will be developed, including the addition of a new restaurant, coffee house and leisure and car park facilities, as well as the extension of Longford Forest’s iconic Subtropical Swimming Paradise.

At Aqua Sana, the spa will be expanded to include new treatment rooms and a brand-new luxurious treetop sauna, bringing Aqua Sana’s incredible spa experiences to new heights.

A total of 300 jobs will be created during construction, and approximately a further 250 permanent jobs once operational.

Sustainability and protecting the local environment have been at the forefront of the development planning and, as part of the expansion, an air source heat pump-led network will power the new lodges.

Measures will be put in place at all facilities to reduce energy consumption, including the use of high efficiency LED lighting, while new commercial buildings on the village will be powered with electric technologies including solar PV, saving 4,100,000kWh per annum of gas. Low flow outlets will also be utilised throughout the development to reduce water consumption.

Today’s announcement comes just weeks before Center Parcs celebrates five years’ operating in Ireland this July. Since opening, Center Parcs has become a driving force in the growth of Ireland’s domestic tourism market.

In the 12 months between April 2023 and April 2024 alone, Center Parcs Longford Forest generated €58 million for the Irish economy, €23 million in Exchequer revenue and welcomed 260,700 guests.

Locally, the resort has generated €44 million within County Longford and created over 1300 jobs. Of those employed, 60 per cent are from County Longford, and a further 36 per cent reside in neighbouring counties.

“We are delighted to announce that following several years of planning, we will commence work on our expansion of Longford Forest this autumn. Year on year, we have seen an increase in the number of guests we have welcomed to Longford Forest and many returning families, who have really taken Center Parcs into their hearts,” said Center Parcs UK and Ireland’s CEO, Colin McKinlay.

“Speaking of hearts, at Center Parcs we feel so fortunate to be geographically located at the heart of Ireland and have the ongoing support of the local community. We are thrilled to be able to create even more opportunities for them and boost the local economy further.”

Center Parcs Longford Forest opened in July 2019 to excellent reviews and has consistently seen occupancy rates of 99 per cent, with more than 90 per cent of guests rating their holiday as excellent or good.

For more information, visit centerparcs.ie.