A new project development board is pressing ahead with fresh plans for the long-awaited Cork Events Centre, putting the construction sector on alert that it expects to go to tender early next year.
In an update to Cork City Councillors yesterday evening, elected members were told by the chair of the project development board Brian Geaney that City Hall is soon to issue a prior information notice to signal its intentions to the market.
The council described this notice as a “key milestone” in what will be a multi-stage process that will eventually result in a preferred bidder being chosen for the project.
“In preparing for the procurement of the proposed event centre, the council is interested in engaging with suitably qualified and experienced developers as well as operators and promoters within the live entertainment and events industry in relation to the council’s intended procurement plans and project requirements,” Cork City Council said in a statement.
Despite a series of delays and false dawns stretching back many years, plans are still being progressed to build an event centre for Cork. Last year, the Government ordered a new procurement process, saying it was required to ensure the project complied with EU laws.
In April, Cork City Council tendered for a “suitably qualified consultant” to assemble and manage an expert team charged with delivering the various facets of the stalled project — from construction consultancy, to risk and safety management, and architectural services.
Ministers at Cabinet heard this week that the new project management delivery team for the events centre project has been put in place and begun its work.
This team, led by the local authority, includes representatives from government departments and agencies along with members with relevant expertise of Cork.
It has been meeting monthly since its establishment in January.
Fresh engagement with potential developers and operators in the industry is the next step now being undertaken by Cork City Council to progress the project.
Interested developers, operators and promoters will be invited to express interest via the eTenders platform, with the intent that one-to-one bilateral discussions would follow.
“The insights gained through this consultation process will be used solely to inform the council’s procurement strategy and to assist in defining the project’s requirements,” it said.
The procurement process will be overseen by Aecom, a global project management firm with an office in Cork.
The council added the firm had extensive experience in developing event and conference centres in the US and also been involved in developing a new centre in Cardiff.