Request for Proposal (RFP) Operation of Event Space at Leisureland, Salthill

Salthill has a long and distinguished history as a leading tourism destination along the Wild Atlantic Way. This is a great opportunity for the right occupier to provide a positive impact for Salthill through the re-imagination of this site and its offering.  Proposals are requested that would benefit Salthill, the local community and creating a vibrant area to be enjoyed by residents, tourists and visitors alike 

Galway Salthill Fáilte CLG/Galway City Council wishes to invite proposals from interested parties to operate the event space in Leisureland, Salthill from 2025 to 2028 (subject to performance). Subsequent years will be subject to the successful operation of the event in the previous year.

Lots Available

• Lot 1: Winter Proposal Only. Applicants looking to bring forward a proposal to provide a concession for the winter period. 

Winter Season, the site will be available from 

• Friday 17^th October 2025 to Sunday 22nd February 2026

• Monday 19^th October 2026 to Monday 22nd February 2027

• Monday 18^th October 2027 to Monday 21st February 2028

• Lot 2: Summer Proposal Only. Applicants looking to bring forward a proposal to provide a concession for the Summer period. 

Summer Season, the site will be available from 

• Sunday 1^st March 2026 to Sunday 11^th October 2026
• Monday 1^st March 2027 to Monday 11^th October 2027
• Monday 28^th February 2028 to Monday 9^th October 2028

• Lot3: All Year proposal starting from 16^th October 2025. Applicants looking to bring forward a proposal for year round concession that have appeal for the Winter & Summer period. The proposal may be different for Summer and Winter but proposed for year round rental. 

Concession Contract

The subject matter of this competition constitutes a service concession, in that the successful economic operator will be remunerated for the delivery of the required services through sales to members of the public. Tenderers are reminded that the economic risk inherent to the delivery of the required service will rest fully with the successful concessionaire. Galway Salthill Fáilte CLG/Galway City Council offer no guarantee, express or implied, of the commercial viability or profitability of this proposed concession.

The Experience will be operated at no cost to Galway Salthill Fáilte CLG/Galway City Council and that Galway Salthill Fáilte CLG/Galway City Council will not bear liability for any financial losses incurred by the successful Tenderer.

Applications received will be assessed by Leisureland and Galway City Council. If required the successful candidate must then submit an Outdoor Event Licence under the Planning and Development Act, 2000. This is a separate process to this application and will be the sole responsibility of the vendor. Failure to secure a license will void the license agreement. The successful concessionaire cannot sub-contract out the site during the period.

The successful concessionaire will be expected to pay a financial contribution to the Contracting Authority, for a right to exploit the service.

• An agreed rental fee for the usage of the space. Please propose a fair rental proposal in your submission
• Pay a bond to the amount of €10,000 to cover the proposed site. Release of bond will be contingent on full reinstatement of the site and handover in the same condition as received. 
• The operator will reimburse Galway City Council for all water & electrical charges incurred as part of the Experience.  The water / electrical supply for the development shall be metered

The successful concessionaire will be required to:

• The selected Licensee(s) will assume complete responsibility for the development and operations of the space 
• Promote, market, operate and organise the experience and other associated activities, as agreed
• Project manage and co-ordinate the day-to-day operations associated with the Experience
• Keeping Location in a clean, safe, and attractive condition at all times
• Ensure appropriate security measures are in place and all equipment meets standard EU safety guidelines.
• Install and remove any associated structures.
• Comply with the requirements of all relevant legislation, including but not limited to the Planning Acts and Regulations; Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Acts and Regulations; and Event Safety Management
• Make good any damage to the site and return the site back to the condition in which it was originally provided, within a reasonable period of time.
• Provide suitable Toilets and First Aid facilities on site.
• Provide Galway Salthill Fáilte CLG/Galway City Council with details as to ticket sales and numbers of patrons using facility.
• Noise Abatement: The site adjoins a residential area and noise from any generators and compressors must be kept to a minimum. The successful company shall incorporate noise abatement in their design.
• Be liable for any costs for electricity power used from mains supplies. Salthill Fáilte CLG shall not be liable for costs associated with utilities or for any interruption or failure in the supply of any such utilities, to the premises.
• Project Management of the experience and all associated activities to be carried out in full compliance with all relevant legislation and regulation, particularly in relation to safety, health and welfare at work, as well as event safety management.

  • Event Management Plan

    On appointment, the successful concessionaire will be required to furnish an Event Management Plan, to be agreed by the Contracting Authority prior to installation. This Plan is to include full details in relation to installation/take-down of the facility, traffic management on the site, noise mitigation from the facility, hours of operation, access arrangements to the site, day to day management of the site, environmental monitoring of the site, litter control and security arrangements.

    Engagement with the emergency services is required prior to submission. Installation will not be permitted until the Plan is signed off by both parties.

    • Licences and Permissions

    • Responsibilities

    As the event organiser, it will be the successful concessionaires’ responsibility to ensure that they are in possession of any appropriate licences required. It will also be the responsibility of the successful concessionaire to ensure that all Fire Certificates and appropriate permissions are sought in advance. Failure to secure any of the appropriate licences will void the contract with Galway Salthill Fáilte CLG/Galway City Council

    The Operator shall assume full responsibility for the actions of all personnel and shall be solely responsible for their supervision, daily direction and control, remuneration, severance pay and claims, taxes, insurance, social security and all other actions related to the Operator’s services. Further, all personnel provided by the Operator will be deemed to be employees of the Operator and will not for any purpose be considered employees of the City.

The milestones for assessing the experience year on year will be:

• Strong footfall and increased local hotel occupancy because of the experience.
• Evidence of additional investments and improvements to the experience such as lighting and décor or other features by the operators which will provide to continuous improvements.
• Galway City Council & Leisureland branding is included in promotions

Application:
To be considered, please send a completed application. Submittals can be emailed to events@galwaycity.ie with ‘Leisureland Application’ in the subject line.

Interpretation and Questions 

Should you require an interpretation or clarification of the Expression of Interest, you must submit your question(s) via e-mail to events@galwaycity.ie  with the Subject: Leisureland Clarifications. Only e-mailed questions will be accepted, and questions must be submitted prior to close of business on 31^st July. To receive clarifications please send your details to events@galwaycity.ie by 23^rd July

The assessment criteria for selection of the most suitable candidate will be based on the following criteria: 

• Each Lot will be evaluated separately and on their own merit. If Lot 3 if successful, lots 1 and 2 will no longer be available. 

• Applicants applying for Lot 3 are also encouraged to apply for Lots 1 and 2. If Lot 3 applications are not successful the concession will be granted for the periods of Lot 1 and Lot 2 as above. 

• Separate Applications are required for Lot 1, Lot 2 and Lot 3. 

Please Note: 

• Any conflict of interest involving an applicant must be fully disclosed 

• Galway Salthill Fáilte CLG/Galway City Council reserves the right to withdraw this Expression of Interest (EOI) at any time, without incurring any liability or obligation

• Applicants should be aware that, under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 to 2014, information provided during this Competition may be liable to be disclosed. 

• Success in the Expression of Interest does not guarantee an offer. Galway Salthill Fáilte CLG / Galway City Council will be entering into contract negotiations with the preferred candidate. 

Submission Details:
Please send all submissions to events@galwaycity.ie 

Subject: Tender Submission – Leisureland Submission

Submissions must be received by Monday 31^st July