Feasibility study completed for Limerick ice arena
A FEASIBILITY study report for a proposed new €60m ice rink in Limerick has been completed.
In a written answer to a question from Sinn Fein councillor Sharon Benson, the council's economic director Gordon Daly revealed that consultants CHL were appointed by the local authority to complete the feasibility study.
"This report is being considered and being considered by the council executive. A further update will issue in due course," Mr Daly said.
The proposal for the national winter sports centre was exclusively revealed last year by the Limerick Leader.
There's real enthusiasm among local authority bosses and the business community to get this project off the ground.
It comes following a government strategy seeking a national ice rink. Small rinks are typically only set up on a temporary basis usually around Christmas.
Councillor Benson had previously been in talks with local authority bosses, the business community and the Irish Ice Hockey Association for a year on the possibility.
It's understood there are already private backers interested in the plan.
“Winter sports are making huge progress in Ireland,” said Cllr Benson. “We need to look at Limerick, reimagine it, and have a vision for Limerick to see what could be a big anchor, what could bring people back to the city. We need to look at all age groups, all demographics," said Cllr Benson last year.
She added that she believes a national ice rink would be worth €111m to the local economy.
“It’s worth €25m to the exchequer in the construction phase and €8m to the exchequer once it's operational,” she added.
Local authority sources have indicated while there is support for the bid, it would need to be delivered on the basis of a public-private partnership. And in order to ensure it’s commercially viable, a number of other uses would need to be available at the building, including a conferencing facility.
There has been no ice rink in the Republic of Ireland since the closure of Dundalk’s ice dome in 2010 amid the recession.
One person who would welcome a local ice rink is Carrie Jamieson, who lives in Limerick and is a member of the national women’s ice hockey team. On training weekends, she has to make a round-trip to Belfast.