News / Bristol
Bristol Arena faces more uncertainty
Bristol’s long-awaited arena may have to be scaled back, redesigned or scrapped altogether amid concern costs could escalate.
Hopes that the new 12,000 capacity venue behind Temple Meads would be ready by 2018 were scuppered earlier this year when the council parted company with its appointed contractor after failing to reach an agreement on price.
Bristol City Council has already poured £9m into the major regeneration of the derelict area, but now faces the tough decision as to whether it is worth continuing with the project after years of failed attempts and numerous delays.
is needed now More than ever
Papers released ahead of Tuesday’s cabinet meeting reveal that an independent review is being sought to assess the economic case for the arena.
Contingency proposals include redesigning the venue to achieve capital cost reductions which would result in a “significant technical simplification, reduction in visual appeal and reduction in the quality of the visitor experience” – as well as new planning consent applications and redesign costs.
Other options on the table include a proposal to reduce the 12,000 capacity, or scrap the arena altogether if delivery is found to be too costly.
Despite uncertainty over its future, councillors will also be asked to approve the appointment of contractors Buckingham Group to plough on with preparatory work and ordering of materials.
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees has repeatedly pledged his commitment to getting the arena built and it is widely anticipated its construction will breathe fresh life into the long-neglected, derelict area, bringing economic and social benefits to the city.
Speaking after plans hit a stumbling block in January, Rees said: “Despite this setback it remains closer than it has ever been.
“I firmly believe that we can and will build the arena Bristol deserves but this has to be for the right price. We have made a lot of progress and are now seeking an alternative contractor to build the arena as soon as possible.”
The arena is expected to serve as a catalyst for the development of the Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone in helping to boost economic growth and bring jobs to the area.
But yet another question mark has been raised as to how the council will provide the 500 parking spaces for the arena after the sale of its Cattle Market Road site to the University of Bristol to build a new campus.
Cabinet members will be asked to approve the allocation of £500,000 for further feasibility work into the parking spaces can now be delivered.
Options set out in the cabinet report include plans for a 500-space car park on a Bath Road site, which would need to be financed separately from the main project, or cutting the number of spaces by more than half to 200.
The council has secured more than £123m for the project and members will consider how to proceed on Tuesday, April 4.
Read more: Arena delayed again as council part company with contractor
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