Event centre latest: Everyone committed to resolving 'remaining challenges'

ALL parties involved in the event centre project are committed to the event centre and resolving the “remaining challenges”, according to City Hall.

Developers BAM submitted redesigned plans last week which city council officials are now reviewing.

Council officials confirmed that they have met with Secretary General to the Government and the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach Martin Fraser on two occasions and have said there still challenges for the project around “design uncertainty”, public funding and the inflation rate on construction costs.

Chief financial officer for Cork City Councill John Hallahan said: "Two meetings have been held between Cork City Council and BAM/Live Nation recently, both chaired by Martin Fraser. All sides have reiterated their commitment to deliver this project and have postively discussed the challenges that remain which include level of design uncertainty, amount and form of public funding and the continuing amount of construction inflation currently running at 7%. The resolution of these issues may well have further implications for state aid and the public spending code compliance.

“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.

“As well as the meetings referred to...contact is ongoing between the parties with a view to resolving the remaining challenges,” Mr Hallahan added.

Cork City Council now has four weeks to make a decision to grant or refuse permission for the development.

However, any decision could be appealed to An Bord Pleanála by the developers or by anyone who made submissions on the plans.

The venue will likely be able to hold 4,000 people for seated events and 6,000 when standing is incorporated at events.