This article is from page 23 of the 2009-05-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 23 JPG
SHANNON Development has re- ceived only two expressions of inter- est for the €50 million redevelop- ment of Kilrush marina.
Last month, the regional develop- ment agency confirmed that a private sector consortium, that included west Clare firm L&M Keating, withdrew from the project. It said the wors- ening economic climate resulted in the developers confirming that their proposal for the development of the marina and marina lands at Kilrush was no longer viable. This resulted in Shannon Development re-advertis- ing to seek expressions of interest to re-ignite the project with applicants given a deadline of May 5 to lodge expressions of interest.
A Shannon Development spokes- man declined to confirm if any ex- pressions of interest were received. However, it is understood that the re- gional development agency received just two expressions of interest.
Clir Tom Prendeville (FF) said it was important that the rights of the marina staff were protected and that the development would increase the number of berths at the marina from 120 to 200. “The marina has achieved a small surplus over the past few years and marina manager, John Hehir has turned it around.”
Cllr Prendeville, who is also a member of Kilrush Creek Marina Ltd, said that the marina has pro- vided a major boost for Kilrush and west Clare. The latest employment Statistics for west Clare, show that the numbers in Kilrush on the live register has increased from 657 in April 2008 to 1,248 in April of this year — an increase of 89 per cent.
According to its advertisement for expressions of interest, Shannon De- velopment state that “Kilrush Marina is managed and operated by Kilrush Creek Marina Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Shannon Development. The landbank that surrounds the marina, which consists of approxi- mately 15 acres, is also owned by Shannon Development.
“The development of the marina in a way that delivers economic benefits to the Kilrush area and is compatible and complimentary to the existing marina operations has been identi- fied for implementation by Shannon Development,’ it added.