CIT building a new multifunctional sports arena at their Bishopstown campus

Cork Institute of Technology is moving forward with plans to build a new two-storey multipurpose sports arena at its Bishopstown campus.

The arena will include eight courts, fitness studios, a health & fitness facility and dressing rooms.

CIT is seeking a contractor to build the arena. The college aims to have the building constructed and complete by November 2020.

The sports arena will be a stand-alone building located on two of the four existing all-weather pitches to the south of the existing athletics track.

As well as sporting purposes the building will also be able to be used for exams, conferrings, exhibitions and conventions.

"The Arena is designed as a multi-functional building supporting both students and staff internally within CIT; the general public; and external/community groups using the facility," the college said in their planning application from 2015.

The Arena will be the latest in the CIT's continuing development of its campus which began in 1974.

2019 will be a significant year for the CIT as plans move ahead for a merger with the Institute of Technology, Tralee (ITT).

The merger will create a new institution, the Munster Technological University (MTU).

The MTU will operate from two major campuses across the new university: Cork and Tralee.