Events Centre

Fabio

What's the latest on it lads? Was in Cork this weekend, lovely to be home and the place was alive but saw no work on the site...

Should I be worried?

run_Forrest_run

Fabio wrote: »

What's the latest on it lads? Was in Cork this weekend, lovely to be home and the place was alive but saw no work on the site...

Should I be worried?

no need to be worried, I heard something on local radio about the Jazz event eventually expanding once the event centre is developed and works are due to start soon, sorry I'm hazy on details but that was the general gist of it.

Milly33

Its Cork they will just waffle on about it for a while and then pay some millions, and then say oh tisnt going ahead...

flo8s967qjh0nd

Fabio wrote: »

What's the latest on it lads? Was in Cork this weekend, lovely to be home and the place was alive but saw no work on the site...

Should I be worried?

I'd be worried, if I were you. I certainly am.

KCAccidental

I wouldn't be holding my breath...

P.lane78

im looking forward to Mr Coveneys angle on this one ....

flo8s967qjh0nd

You won't hear anything concrete before the election anyway. Think Amgen in Carrigtoohill and you'll see how this story will end, I reckon.

Milly33

Very true

Joey Jo-Jo Junior

I'm still optimistic about this. Did they not say that they wanted to break ground before the end of the year? Still a few weeks to go.

flo8s967qjh0nd

Any news on this?
History of Beamish and Crawford has just been published.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/familys-nazi-link-uncovered-during-writing-of-beamish-crawford-history-363612.html

Sad to see what amounts to the corpse of this once proud institution now lying semi-derelict in the centre of the city.

KCAccidental

Events centre was discussed at Council meeting last night. Not great news

namloc1980

Chief Executive of the Council said she expects contracts to be signed in the near future. I think that was the same update that was given in September. Going to slip into 2016 at the earliest.

KCAccidental

namloc1980 wrote: »

Chief Executive of the Council said she expects contracts to be signed in the near future. I think that was the same update that was given in September. Going to slip into 2016 at the earliest.

she said that she expected work to start by the end of the year a few months ago. Think it's safe to say to say that she doesn't really know.

Rhys Essien

My guess is that it will go ahead in early new year when Bam are finished Albert Quay.With the last few jobs they done around Cork,they finished one job to start another.

kub

http://www.eveningecho.ie/cork-news/event-centre-works-to-start-by-christmas/1290395/

P.lane78

The usual...Do a bit of site clearance before the election, purely optics!!!
Hope I am wrong BTW

kub

P.lane78 wrote: »

The usual...Do a bit of site clearance before the election, purely optics!!!
Hope I am wrong BTW

Either which way, when they start digging in there, it will all suddenly stop as the old citywalls run across that site.
The archaeologists will probe it and they will take a long long time, so it will be years before it is open.

flo8s967qjh0nd

So, just a few weeks to go before year end and projections made by ministers seem to be running out of time, fast. Any further progress to report?

In the meantime, I came across this 'fly through' of the whole Brewery Quarter development. Enjoy!

P.lane78

Nancy Unkempt Shop wrote: »

So, just a few weeks to go before year end and projections made by ministers seem to be running out of time, fast. Any further progress to report?

In the meantime, I came across this 'fly through' of the whole Brewery Quarter development. Enjoy!

Enjoy the video bacause thats all were getting, no event centre , no movement on PuC, No cork to Limerick motorway.

flo8s967qjh0nd

So, what are the odds of a last minute breakthrough or statement tomorrow to 'start' this before the end of the year, as promised?
BAM and Heineken seems to he getting off lightly here. Allowing a near derelict site (in places) languish in the centre of the city.
The term "sh*t or get off the pot" springs to mind.

CHealy

Its going on too long now, there is only one outcome for this and unfortunately its not the one the people of Cork will want. Im half thinking maybe they should have given it to O'Callaghan on Albert Quay because at least he'll get the thing built.

KCAccidental

Could have sworn that I saw out Simon Coveney out there with a shovel at 23:55 last night

P.lane78

KCAccidental wrote: »

Could have sworn that I saw out Simon Coveney out there with a shovel at 23:55 last night

and enda was manning the cement mixer

CHealy

Almost half way through January and still no word.

AugustusMinimus

Anyone who thinks this will be built are living in la la land.

Cork is the city where big things are promised but nothing ever actually happens.

CHealy

AugustusMinimus wrote: »

Anyone who thinks this will be built are living in la la land.

Cork is the city where big things are promised but nothing ever actually happens.

Oh I agree, I doubt I'll even be an old man and see an events center in Cork. This one is just so brazen though, with all the selection process hype and Coveney saying work will start by the end of 2015.

Rhys Essien

Paul Byrne has a report on it today on TV3 news.He tweeted earlier.He talks to Simon Coveney and Kenneth O'Flynn.

CHealy

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Paul Byrne has a report on it today on TV3 news.He tweeted earlier.He talks to Simon Coveney and Kenneth O'Flynn.

AugustusMinimus

Quelle surprise.

I saw a bus the other day with a picture of Coveney and a list of projects in Cork. He must think he got them all.

At least 2 of them (Events Centre and the Pairc) will not happen. Some of them are years off happening.

AugustusMinimus

What was said in TV3 anyways. Nothing about the event centre on Twitter.

flo8s967qjh0nd

AugustusMinimus wrote: »

What was said in TV3 anyways. Nothing about the event centre on Twitter.

In a nutshell, it was Coveney telling us to be patient. That "in a matter of weeks" we will see progress. 52 weeks? 104 weeks? He didn't say.
Also a quote from Heineken saying they were "continuing to support" BAM in their work on the development. Interesting wording...sounds like they are trying to detangle themselves from it.
Finally, no comment from BAM.
Judge for yourself...

AugustusMinimus

Nancy Unkempt Shop wrote: »

In a nutshell, it was Coveney telling us to be patient. That "in a matter of weeks" we will see progress. 52 weeks? 104 weeks? He didn't say.
Also a quote from Heineken saying they were "continuing to support" BAM in their work on the development. Interesting wording...sounds like they are trying to detangle themselves from it.
Finally, no comment from BAM.
Judge for yourself...

I'd be impressed if Coveney can stretch this out until after the election.

flo8s967qjh0nd

Elsewhere on the world wide web, a suggestion that positive news on the event centre is due within the week. Possibly, with some planning changes to the remainder of the site.
Take that with a pinch of salt but, who knows.
Real progress? Or just buying time? You decide!

namloc1980

Nancy Unkempt Shop wrote: »

Elsewhere on the world wide web, a suggestion that positive news on the event centre is due within the week. Possibly, with some planning changes to the remainder of the site.
Take that with a pinch of salt but, who knows.
Real progress? Or just buying time? You decide!

Election optics.

cgcsb

I do hope the sate has not handed over any money yet, that'd be a real shame.

CHealy

YAAAWWWWWWN!!!!

http://www.eveningecho.ie/cork-news/coveney-event-centre-to-start-in-a-month/1547714/

Rhys Essien

Going ahead next month.
http://www.eveningecho.ie/cork-news/coveney-event-centre-to-start-in-a-month/1547714/

flo8s967qjh0nd

As someone else pointed out above, it will be amazing if he can drag this out until the election.
I'm sorry, I just don't believe the guy. He's been saying this for a year.

namloc1980

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Going ahead next month.
http://www.eveningecho.ie/cork-news/coveney-event-centre-to-start-in-a-month/1547714/

And in the same month as the election. Well what a surprise. :rolleyes:

KCAccidental

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Going ahead next month.
http://www.eveningecho.ie/cork-news/coveney-event-centre-to-start-in-a-month/1547714/

he said that last month... and the month before...

Rhys Essien

KCAccidental wrote: »

he said that last month... and the month before...

I think this was his third time so we might be lucky.

kub

He strikes me as one of the few politicians out there that is anyway honest, yes i know i just put the words honest and politician in the same sentence.

I reckon if it was any other party in Government, they would have some buddy in there now with a JCB just so that it looks like there is something been done.

Missyelliot2

This is a very historic part of Cork that needs redevelopment-you would imagine that the government would have some interest in it's construction. It has Elizabeth Fort, it's close to the city, St. Finbarres Cathedral, Nano Nagles first convent within walking distance....
But, no.....
A few weeks before a general election, there's a headline stating that a sod will be turned -please excuse my cynicism.

It's no wonder BAM and Heineken are treating this with trepidation.

IF our city was important - that should have been a priority years ago - it isn't an issue - it will look like it does for the next 5 years (although dilapidated even further).
And kub, I admire your optimism in trusting Simon Covenny.....but I do think you did make the mistake of putting politician and honest in the same sentence -have a look at the Cork-Limerick road and think do any of the Cork (travelling to Dublin) politicians give a toss about their constituency?

They care even less about an events centre!

mire

I'm no fan of Simon Coveney, or many other politicians that Cork has been blessed with - but to suggest that politicians have no interest in a project like this is very naive. Of course they have! If this projects commences, politicians will have a big news story about the city centre to associate themselves with; in other words, it is in their interests to see this thing materialise. Also, this project is receiving a 40% subsidy (€20 million) from the state (central and local) - and politicians have a responsibility to make sure that if this project progresses - that it is feasible.

We'd be having a different conversation if public money was handed over to a badly thought through and unviable project. Just imagine the howling if this thing failed after so much public money was wasted.

AugustusMinimus

mire wrote: »

I'm no fan of Simon Coveney, or many other politicians that Cork has been blessed with - but to suggest that politicians have no interest in a project like this is very naive. Of course they have! If this projects commences, politicians will have a big news story about the city centre to associate themselves with; in other words, it is in their interests to see this thing materialise. Also, this project is receiving a 40% subsidy (€20 million) from the state (central and local) - and politicians have a responsibility to make sure that if this project progresses - that it is feasible.

We'd be having a different conversation if public money was handed over to a badly thought through and unviable project. Just imagine the howling if this thing failed after so much public money was wasted.

Obviously it's in his best interests to see this being built. However, if the building of it isn't certain, it is also in his best interests to string it along until after polling day.

I'm praying this will go ahead. It will cement the area as Corks entertainment district. Event centre and a cinema to compliment the likes of the Triskel and the array of nightlife already in the area.

Padraig Mor

AugustusMinimus wrote: »

However, if the building of it isn't certain, it is also in his best interests to string it along until after polling day..

Reminds me of the Amgen fiasco - was it the election before last? Strong rumours it was cancelled, but the government denied denied denied until after the election. More insidious was the handling of the IFI fertilizer plant in Cobh maybe 20 years ago - even though it was obvious it was going to close, the (FF) govt strung it out for months until after an election - in the meantime, the company lost so much money the workers' pension fund was decimated.

flo8s967qjh0nd

In fairness, I don't doubt that SC and others are doing their best to get this over the line - imagine the kudos ahead of an election if it pays off. However, we have seen nothing in way of evidence that it is going ahead. No statements to that effect from the developers (BAM and Heineken Ireland); no work on site; no engagement with media, stakeholders; no statement from the company supposed to be running the event centre (Live Nation) and (by any standards) a very lengthy delay between grant of planning and start of work.
In the absence of all of this, for a government minister to come along and basically say 'nothing to see here', 'don't be so impatient; and 'oh look at the shiny new Capitol development' is like smoke and mirror, Wizard of Oz stuff.
-- Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain --

mire

Nancy Unkempt Shop wrote: »

In fairness, I don't doubt that SC and others are doing their best to get this over the line - imagine the kudos ahead of an election if it pays off. However, we have seen nothing in way of evidence that it is going ahead. No statements to that effect from the developers (BAM and Heineken Ireland); no work on site; no engagement with media, stakeholders; no statement from the company supposed to be running the event centre (Live Nation) and (by any standards) a very lengthy delay between grant of planning and start of work.
In the absence of all of this, for a government minister to come along and basically say 'nothing to see here', 'don't be so impatient; and 'oh look at the shiny new Capitol development' is like smoke and mirror, Wizard of Oz stuff.
-- Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain --

Very good points; the silence from the other parties is worrying, but perhaps understandable, considering what seems to be going on - i.e. fairly sensitive discussions I'd imagine.

What I find notable is Minister Coveney's tone on this. He is not simply saying it may happen, that they've done everything they can - he is putting himself right in the centre of this; and is taking a real risk as a result. He has used a lot of political capital on this project and I would assume that he would not have extended his neck this far without having had some assurances and real evidence. My interpretation of his comments are that he he is speaking knowledgeably and confidently. Put it this way, if it does not happen, it will be a huge source of embarrassment - politically and personally.

clerk

mire wrote: »

What I find notable is Minister Coveney's tone on this. .....Put it this way, if it does not happen, it will be a huge source of embarrassment - politically and personally.

It would be, but if it's after he's elected and FG are in, it will be all the one to him.

I intend to ask him if he bothers his arse to come to my door for 2 minutes why a sitting Government minister can't get this over the line whilst in Government. It's fairly pathetic in my opinion.

The promises are meaningless to me. Talk is cheap.

There's a bloody fortune being spent in Dublin, Luas, Docklands development, 10,000 Nama Houses. Cork is getting sweet f all apart from a load of election promises.

Pull the finger out Simon and get this one over the line.

flo8s967qjh0nd

What could have been... here's a (poor enough) fly over of the O'Callaghan Properties option on Albert Quay.

Incidentally, where have all the "Support the Brewery Quarter" lot gone? One would have imagined, that if they supported the idea of an event centre on that site so much that they would still be interested.
http://www.eveningecho.ie/cork-news/ocallaghan-critical-event-centre-lobby-group/50840/

flo8s967qjh0nd

Rhys Essien wrote: »

My guess is that it will go ahead in early new year when Bam are finished Albert Quay.With the last few jobs they done around Cork,they finished one job to start another.

Good piece in the Examiner this week about One Albert Quay (built by BAM). Says BAM are ready to roll on the Capitol site. Does this mean the Event Centre goes to the back of the queue?

Here it is: http://www.irishexaminer.com/property/commercial/one-albert-quay-set-up-for-tyco-arrival-377407.html