Consultants projected International Rugby Experience would draw 145,000 to Limerick
Multi-million euro attraction was forecast to generate millions for city
PLANNING projections around the International Rugby Experience (IRE) show a target to grow to 145,000 visitors a year in the space of a decade.
And, in its very first year, it was forecast to have an impact of nearly €8.8m on the local economy, with almost 40,000 extra bednights in Limerick.
These figures were presented to council planners back in 2017 by consultants appointed by the people behind the IRE, which is set to close next month with 18 jobs lost.
It comes after figures in a report which was commissioned earlier this year show there are projected to be 31,102 people visiting the city centre attraction this year - with the facility on course for a €680,656 loss.
Seven years ago, Rugby World Experience sought council permission to transform O’Connell Street with the attraction.
According to filings with the Companies Registration Office, the principal activity of this firm is “to promote the regeneration of Limerick City Centre by establishing the IRE”.
As part of the successful bid to secure permission for the development, W2 Consulting were appointed to outline a series of economic impacts the project could have on the local economy.
It was forecast the income generated by direct employment from people working in the IRE would be almost €1m a year.
W2 had projected in the first year of operation, 100,000 people would visit the IRE, rising steadily over 10 years to a total of 145,000 per annum.
In terms of the impact on the local economy, the consultants forecast by its fifth year of operation, the IRE would be worth €10.6m to Limerick.
“Based on the direct expenditure levels of visitors to IRE, the total tourism expenditure in year one will be €4.2m generating a total economic impact of €8.8m when combining the direct, indirect and induced spending levels,” the analysis reads.
“The scale of impact increases to €9.7m by year three, rising to €10.6m in year five,” it adds.
The consultants predicted that a further 70 jobs would be supported in the tourism industry because of this.
Other documents in the planning file show it was the aim of those behind the development to have it “dedicated” to the State.
“When the IRE is established and contributing to the regeneration of Limerick City Centre, the development will be dedicated to the Irish State by means of a disposal to an agency of the State by mutual agreement, at no cost to the exchequer, at an agreed date,” documents show.
Talks have collapsed between IRE and council in relation to the local authority taking over the facility.