Council to invest in events centre

CORK city council is poised to invest up to€12 million in the development of a major indoor conference and events centre, it emerged last night.

Details of the proposal, which would see the city taking a 25% equity stake in the project in partnership with a private developer, will be outlined on Tuesday.

The city’s ambitious new drive to secure the venue — seen as crucial to boost Cork’s business tourism — follows years of frustration and false dawns.

The council identified a north docklands site on CIÉ-owned land close to Kent railway station as the preferred location for an events centre capable of staging conferences for up to 2,000 people and concerts for up to 6,000.

But despite the fact that at least two developers have expressed an interest in building it, no agreement has been reached with CIÉ or its development partners on the site, Manor Park Homes.

Cork city manager Joe Gavin has expressed his frustration at the lack of progress on a number of occasions.

The issue came to a head last month when city planners shot down Manor Park Homes’s multi-million housing and retail project earmarked for a portion of Horgan’s Quay.

The decision was based in part on its failure to present an overall masterplan for the entire quay site, effectively excluding a conference centre.

Following that decision, Mr Gavin indicated that the city would look at alternative sites and at new ways of fast-tracking the development.

He has now drawn up an ambitious strategy which would see the city taking a 25% equity stake in the project — up to a maximum of €12m — to attract private investors.

“This would show the importance which the council attaches to the provision of a conference centre and it should be a strong incentive to secure early delivery,” he said.

If councillors back his plan, Mr Gavin said proposals would be publicly invited for interested parties to make submissions to provide a suitable site, design, build, fund and manage the facility. They will be required to give the following details:

Provide a site within two kilometres of the city centre;

Outline the design of the events centre;

Explain whether it would be a stand-alone facility or part of another development;

The capital cost of the project;

The time-scale for delivery.

Fine Gael Cllr Jerry Buttimer said the proposals, which will be outlined at a council meeting on Tuesday, should be supported.

“Cork needs an events centre to attract tourists and more business. I applaud the manager on this new initiative,” he said.