Game on: work cleared to start on Galway base for 200-staff firm

Date Published: 16-Jan-2012

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

Work on converting a former laundry plant in Rahoon into specialist offices for a US software giant is set to begin in the coming weeks – with the creation of 200 jobs.

And there is potential for hundreds more to be employed by ZeniMax Online Studios on adjacent undeveloped lands.

The company has just been granted permission for the conversion of the former Connacht Laundry/CWS boco site in the Rahoon Business Park, close to the Aviva Insurance call centre.

The construction work will see a change of use of the industrial building to technology office use, and the provision of more than 4,200 square metres of space on the ground floor and 209 sq.m. on the first floor.

The fit-out is expected to take around three months, and IDA sources believe the 200 jobs will be in place by mid-April.

It’s understood the site was chosen because of a significant tract of undeveloped land adjacent to it, which could accommodate a further office block for the company – which could lead to hundreds more jobs in an industry that is rapidly expanding.

At any one time, there will be 100 workers in the office block – which will provide

24 hour online backup for online gamers. The industry is worth billions of dollars each year.

City planners approved the application, although they stipulated that a Mobility Management Plan should be drawn up to encourage sustainable travel patterns for commuting staff.

The head of the new Galway facility was responsible for providing support for ‘World of Warcraft’, the world’s most successful role-playing game.

Read more in today’s Connacht Sentinel