City manager ‘infuriated’ by Sky Garden criticism

Cork’s city manager has offered a staunch defence of the contentious Sky Garden project, saying criticism was “infuriating”.

Works to install the Diarmuid Gavin-designed garden, in Fitzgerald Park, will begin in April as part of Cork City Council’s €2.37m Mardyke Gardens project.

Tenders for the work, due to wrap up in September, will be sought in the coming weeks.

Plans for the revamp project at Fitzgerald Park include a Victorian kitchen garden, the restoration of the Fr Mathew memorial fountain, a new bandstand, a Chinese garden, a riverside promenade, and a walled garden to replace the former bedding plant nursery.

The installation of Mr Gavin’s prize-winning Chelsea Flower Show design sparked a row between the celebrity gardener and the council amid growing concerns over costs.

City manager Tim Lucey defended the project costs at last night’s monthly council meeting at City Hall.

Mr Lucey said he found it “infuriating” to hear continued criticism of the project, when external auditors had approved the budget. “It was managed appropriately and given a full bill of health,” he said.

Cllr Chris O’Leary (SF) said councillors had been “saddled” with the project.

“We are so far along now we have no choice but to continue, but we as councillors were left out of the loop on this one.

“It raises questions about where council projects come from and how they develop,” he said.

Cllr Ted Tynan (Workers Party) said the cost of the project was “astronomical”.

“It’s a terrible waste of money for a steel frame.”

Mr Lucey said the comments from both Mr O’Leary and Mr Tynan were “without foundation”.

The project was advertised in accordance with the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, but failed to attract any submissions before the Feb 8 closing date. According to council documents, Fáilte Ireland provided 83% of the cost, with Cork City Council’s contribution amounting to €406,000.

Cllr Terry Shannon (FG) said there would have been “uproar” if Cork had lost out on this level of funding.

“No one could see the positive in this project, but you have to have a variety of attractions in a city for visitors. Horticulture and flowers are big business. This is about sustaining jobs in the city, let’s celebrate it as an innovative project.”