Final Cork Events Centre costings to be sent to the government following Bam meeting

FINAL designs and costings for Cork’s long-awaited Event Centre will be sent to the Government within the coming days, it has been revealed.

The move was confirmed yesterday by Minister Simon Coveney who said he recently met with a representative from the development company, BAM construction.

“I had a meeting with BAM last week. I think the final costings and plan should be going to Government within days. That’s my understanding,” he said.

Last month, the developers told Cork City Council they are aiming to start construction on an expanded event centre at the old Beamish and Crawford site within the next six months, but that the project needs €12m more in public monies than what has already been allocated.

This would bring the total cost of the development to €65m – a total which includes €32m of public funds.

At the time, BAM explained to the council that the project has undergone some changes since the tendering process, with operators Live Nation insisting on a more versatile centre capable of handling a wider range of events.

Minister Coveney has previously expressed frustration at the delay in construction – the sod was turned on the site more than a year ago now – but has said the Government remains committed to the project.