A Lurgan entrepreneur has launched a bid to develop a new leisure complex on Lough Neagh.
Patrick McAliskey and his wife Anita have notified Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council of their plans for Kinnego Marina.
Set on the south-east shore of Lough Neagh and on the edge of the Oxford Island National Nature Reserve, the marina currently features a caravan park and glamping pods.
The McAliskey’s company One-AP Ltd has submitted a proposal of application notice (PAN) to planning authorities, which involves a significant investment in the site.
Their proposal would see the existing boat showroom and business units replaced with a new leisure complex and health and wellbeing facility.
The plans also involve a new café, tourist accommodation and business units.
The application submitted to planners indicates a scheme of around 75,000 sq ft on a 3.5 acre site.
Magherafelt based Vision Design is understood to be architecture firm involved.
Mr McAliskey (56) is among the north’s top tech industry figures.
He set up Real Time Systems in 1994, which merged with 4sol in 2007 to form Novosco.
The Belfast-based tech firm was eventually was sold to German group Cancom in a £70 million deal during 2019.
Cancom was itself acquired by Telefónica two years later.
While he remains plugged into the world of IT, the Lurgan entrepreneur has launched a number of enterprises in his hometown.
His increasingly diverse interests include a brewery and coffee business based in north Armagh.
Mr McAliskey has also invested in Belfast software company Obbi Golf.
The latest direction is a tourist and hospitality investment in his hometown.
The PAN submitted by his company is required for all major planning applications in the north.
It typically involves a period of consultation with the public, which generally leads to the submission of a full planning application.
An event to outline One-AP Ltd’s plans is due to take place at North Lurgan Community Centre on June 5 from 3.30pm to 7pm.
