Events centre redesign is being reviewed

The main players behind the stalled events centre have “positively discussed” the challenges that remain in getting the project built.

That’s the latest from City Hall after BAM, the developers behind the events centre, submitted a redesign of the plans last week, which the council has begun to review.

Chief Financial Officer with Cork City Council, John Hallahan, confirmed that two meetings were held between the council and BAM and Live Nation, both of which were chaired by the Secretary General to the Irish Government and Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach Martin Fraser.

Mr Hallahan was responding to queries from Independent Cllr Mick Finn about the meetings.

Mr Hallahan said that all sides have “reiterated their commitment” to deliver the events centre and have “positively discussed the challenges that remain”.

These challenges include a level of design uncertainty, the amount of and what form of public funding the project should be given and the amount of construction inflation currently running at seven per cent.

“The resolution of these issues may well have further implications for state aid and the public spending code compliance,” said Mr Hallahan.

He continued: “On foot of these discussions, BAM have invested significant funds in preparing all further information requested of them under the planning process which has now been submitted to Cork City Council and the review of this information has commenced.”

Contact is ongoing between all of the parties to resolve the remaining challenges.