Taoiseach Leo Varadkar chatting to Center Parcs CEO Martin Dalby in Ballymahon last month

Company chosen to build lodges at Ballymahon's Center Parcs

Center Parcs has this morning (Wednesday) announced its contractor to build the accommodation lodges at its new €233 million holiday village in Ballymahon. 

The Dublin-based construction firm John Sisk and Son was named as the preferred bidder to construct the lodges for the project, which is to be known as Center Parcs Longford Forest. 

"The conclusion of this tender is subject to contract," added the Center Parcs statement today. 

Last month, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visited the site in Ballymahon and planted a sapling oak tree to mark the start of the construction phase on the project. 

The tourist attraction is due to include almost 500 lodges for families as well as indoor and outdoor activities, a spa, a range of restaurants and cafés, and what's billed as a "subtropical swimming paradise" with water rides.

Limerick-based contractors Roadbridge are currently carrying out preparation work on the 400-acre site in Newcastle Woods, approximately 5 kilometres from the village of Ballymahon.

Center Parcs is due to create up to 750 jobs during construction, along with 1,000 permanent jobs once it's up and running in the summer of 2019.