The results of a local think-tank about the future of Lough Key Forest Park will be presented to townspeople in Boyle, Co Roscommon, later today.The proposals have not been costed but give a comprehensive view of what locals want for the park, one of the west's most precious public amenities. As such, it represents a novel exercise in local democracy, and follows years of acrimonious dispute.They were collected during an open forum in May organised by the Lough Key Forest Park Action Group. According to a report prepared by the group: "Overwhelmingly, the proposals requested that the park be developed in a way which is sympathetic to the environment and encourages people to think about the beauty around them and how fragile all of it is if mismanaged." They include suggestions that recreational sports amenities be developed, including indoor facilities to cater for badminton, basketball, tennis and other sports.The report points out that there is no indoor swimming pool within a radius of 26 miles, and says there is "a strong desire" for a multi-purpose indoor recreational centre to be provided at the park.Other suggestions include creating an international forestry college, improvements to the camping and caravan site and the provision of a three-star hotel. "The location of such a hotel should be sensitive to the environment and preferably off the park." Coillte, the owner of the park, has promised to take account of the local consensus in deciding the park's future, according to the chairman of the action group, Mr Frank Feighan. "I'd be optimistic that Coillte are acting in good faith," he said".He pointed out that the action group was set up following the collapse of a planned £31 million development at the park headed by a Roscommon born entrepreneur who lives in the US, Mr Ed Sheeran.Mr Sheeran's proposals included a 156-bedroom hotel in the middle of the park and other developments. They were bitterly opposed by some locals and strongly supported by others, but the resulting divisions have begun to heal as a consensus is developed about the future.
"We're on the same wavelength now," Mr Feighan said.