The International Trade Hub

Two local developers are hoping to implement a €1.4bn masterplan which would create up to 9,000 jobs and attract up to 30,000 visitors per week to Athlone. The Europe China Trading Hub will provide demonstration space for Chinese manufacturers and traders to display their products to European and international buyers, with a view to generating bulk orders, which will be delivered from the producers in China. There will also be provision in the development for demonstration of Irish tourism, learning, manufactured goods, technology and agricultural produce to international buyers. The plan for the hub is for 3,000 demonstration halls situated in nine trading centres in the complex.

A planning application for the first phase of the project at Creggan was submitted to Westmeath County Council by Athlone Business Park Ltd. If planning permission is forthcoming, the developers are hoping to open the doors on this phase of the project by late 2014 or early 2015. The project consist of five phases that are planned to be completed within seven to ten years of opening. The first €175m phase consists of:

• Two 'mega' exhibition halls, each contains space for 270 display areas and span over 30,000 square metres. It could create 1,500 operational jobs - of which two thirds would be for Irish and EU nationals.
• Multi-purpose hall for visiting exhibitions with space for 135 separate display areas.
• Nine smaller one-storey exhibitions halls
• Underground parking to cater for up to 1,370 car parking spaces, a bus terminus and bus bays
• A four-storey reception building

Athlone Castle's refurbishment project is hoped to be completed in late summer 2012. The Athlone Castle revamp is due to give a "a contemporary feel" to the experience of visiting the castle. The project will include a new visitor centre with six different themed galleries, as well as a new educational space. There will also be artefacts and audio visual attractions.

Two new retail developments could create several hundred jobs in Athlone. Locally-controlled company Tiane Ltd is seeking planning permission for a massive 18,689 square metres mixed-use development at the junction of the Golden Island Road and the Carrickobrien Road. The proposed development is going to contain a 6,000 square-metre anchor store, 1,570 square metres of retail space spanning at least ten units, a gymnasium split over three levels, a medical centre, over 3,850 square metres of office space and a number of cafes.

Meanwhile, Gallico Developments has lodged a planning application with Athlone Town Council for a circa 2,800 square-metre supermarket at the former McFarland's furniture store on Gleeson Street. The supermarket will include retail space, a cafe, offices, staff areas and storage areas.

Artist's Impression of New Art Gallery

The project will be completed in the summer 2012 and will be officially opened by autumn 2012.

€1.4m boost for Aquatic Centre at Hodson Bay

Mr. John O'Donoghue T.D. Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism has allocated the sum of €2.23m for three tourism projects in County Roscommon. A sum of €1.4m has been allocated to the Hodson Bay Aquatic Centre at Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon. This is to provide a fresh Water Aquarium and Ecology Centre. A sum of €722,000 provided for the provision of a Sailing School and Water Sports facility at Hodson Bay.

Athlone Town Football Club 6.000 all-seated staduim Euro 6 million.

Kevin Kidney, General Manager East and Midlands Region with Failte Ireland said over €100,000 was granted recently to establish an Angling Centre of Excellence in Athlone

A new Cycling Hub is planned for Athlone later this year, according to Fáilte Ireland, which hopes the development will attract more biking visitors in to the area and provide an additional activity for cruising traffic on the Shannon. .

Kiltoom Church of Ireland building to House Veterans Memorial: a memorial for Irish veterans killed in combat; the Irish Veterans, Memorial Project is seeking to establish a commemorative and "holistic" centre for veterans of various conflicts throughout the world over the last 50 years.

Midland Health Board appointed an architect to draw up appraisal of the draft design brief for the Athlone Health Infrastructure, with recent acquisitation by the Board of a 6.5 acre site in Athlone.