Blueprint in pipeline to develop Laois Offaly amenity as a 'must visit' location

A contract costing up to €70,000 could be offered to companies to come up with 10 year blueprint for Portarlington's popular Derryounce Lakes and Trails that would develop it as an amenity for locals a new tourist attraction.

Offaly County Council is seeking expressions of interest from a suitably qualified team to prepare a 10 year Development Plan for the Derryounce Lakes and Trails area which is located on the Offaly side of the town on cutaway Bord na Móna owned bog.

Apart from providing new facilities such as parking, toilets and visitor hub, the aim is the develop Derryounce as a 'must visit' location through the development of a compelling name, logo and brand identity that would appeal to domestic and overseas visitor.

The council says they want proposals on how the site can synergise with adjacent lands, if feasible. They also want preliminary concepts for a potential expansion of Derryounce lake, hard standing for water sports, water safety and outdoor activities, storage and welfare facilities and accessibility provision around the lake.

The local authority is also seeking concept designs / sketches for key potential aspects of Derryounce’s future development.

These would include:

• Potential walking & cycling trailhead;
• Potential Hub building;
• Services such as toilets, storage facilities
• Design for entrance revisions & car parking

Bidders for the contract are also being asked to provide at a suitable location or locations for longer term expanded car and bus parking areas.

"The 10 year Development Plan must recognise the process of delivering the necessary infrastructure to accommodate new and existing uses and realise the full potential of the area, while addressing opportunities and challenges within the Derryounce site.

"The Development Plan should explore a vision for the future direction of the area, emphasising the importance of outdoor recreation, nature conservation, and the social and economic benefits for the area and its surroundings.

"This will be achieved by comprehensive assessments and designs in the areas of planning, architecture / landscape architecture, tourism destination development, branding, ecology and environment and collaboration with key stakeholders," says the local authority tender.

The council estimates that the contract cost may amount to some €70,000 incl. VAT (€56,910.57 excl. VAT) over the term and any possible extensions. 

The council outlines the context and general aim.

"The preparation and implementation of the 10 year Development Plan will result in the creation of a common vision and build upon the positive attributes of the area and its location, addressing the challenges it faces, and offer a comprehensive path forward to make Derryounce Lakes & Trails a must visit destination.

"The Development Plan should explore a Vision for the Future Direction of the area, emphasising the importance of outdoor recreation, nature conservation, the social and economic benefits for the area and its surroundings and a collaborative stakeholder development approach," says the council.

The project will involve consultation and Offaly County Council want the project to continue to be a "model of collaboration between state landowners the community and the Local Authority".

The council says the development of Derryounce Lakes & Trails will be co-ordinated and led by a Steering Group consisting of the Portarlington Community Development Association CLG, Offaly County Council, Regeneration Team and Edenderry Municipal District Office, Bord Na Mona, Coillte.

Despite the close proximity to Laois and the involvement of many Laois residents in the work on the Lake the plan says  Laois County Council may only be 'possibly' be consulted.

An indication of the Offaly focused future for Derryounce is also revealed in the potential for it to to be a major trailhead for the Midlands Cycling Destination - Offaly.

It wants the appointed consultants to liaise closely with the steering group to support the development of the plan.

The Offaly council believes that Derryounce can provide a economic uplift to both the town of Portarlington and surrounding villages, particularly from seasonal visitors in the summer and outdoor activity visitors all year round.

It says it will also greatly enhance the range of activities in the area.

The amenity was recently the recipient €62,444 for the provision of a link to Derryounce trail from both Laois and Offaly under the government’s National Outdoor Recreation Strategy,  Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors programme.

Companies have until January 31 to express their interest in its development.