Cardiff that are ripe for to transform the capital
which time a temporary arena, possibly in Cardiff Bay, would have to be found. But the site could be home to more than just an indoor arena, if the adjoining two-acre car park and office site owned by property development firm Rapport formed part of a bigger scheme.
And if the indoor arena goes to one of the other shortlisted locations, such as land at Dumballs Road or the Red Dragon Centre in Cardiff Bay, then the Motorpoint could still be in line for redevelopment.
And with Cardiff council selling its freehold interest in the Motorpoint site to a developer[s], this could provide a financial contribution to an indoor arena elsewhere in the city.
This could see Live Nation, the Motorpoint Arena’s current operator, agreeing a long-term deal with the council to run a new indoor arena.
The council stresses that any indoor arena would be focused on concerts and sporting events and wouldn’t look to compete with the under-construction International Convention Centre Wales at the Celtic Manor in Newport in the conference market.
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF WALES
The huge University Hospital of Wales site in the Heath area of Cardiff dates back to the early 1970s.
But the chances of relocating elsewhere any time over the next 20 years is unlikely due to the enormous cost and logistical challenges that it would present the Welsh Government.
Besides, public access to it would be enhanced if plans to create a new station at or near the hospital through the next phase of the Metro are realised.
CARDIFF PRISON
The chances of Cardiff Prison being the preferred location – and yes, it is on the shortlist for the indoor arena – are as likely as Wales winning a bid to stage the Winter Olympics in the next 30 years.
If you were to build a new prison for Cardiff, not many would opt for a location right in the city centre.
The Victorian-built facility is currently home to more than 800 inmates.
Any relocation would be a decision for the UK Government, which has been investing in a new wave of so-called super-prisons and in the process generating revenues from the sell-off of existing and aging prisons, many of which are in prime citycentre locations.
But if Cardiff Prison was closed, it would open up an opportunity for at least one million sq ft of new development in the city centre. CARDIFF council is weighing up plans to move Cardiff’s County Hall – which could see it replaced with an major arena.
There have been years of discussions about the future of the building in Cardiff Bay and now cabinet member Russell Goodway has said he believes there is a case to review the future of the council’s headquarters.
At a meeting, he was asked by Liberal Democrat Rodney Berman what the benefits to moving would be.
Coun Goodway replied that the existing building, which was officially opened in 1988, has ‘outdated and inefficient’ energy systems.
Coun Goodway said: ‘The county councillor will be aware that discussions have been ongoing for a period of years regarding the need to rationalise the council’s office estate, an exercise which began during his term as leader.
‘This was in response to the impact that cuts to the council’s budgets have had on staff numbers and the effect new ways of working have had on the requirement for office space.
‘In addition, the council is conscious of the age and state of the current building which, along with the remainder of the estate, has a serious maintenance backlog and is fuelled by outdated and seriously inefficient energy systems.
‘Taken together, I am persuaded that there is a prima facie case to undertake a more detailed business case to inform potential solutions. That business case could explore all eventualities and all possible funding mechanisms, and also take account of the opportunity cost of remaining on the present site.
‘I will report to cabinet at an appropriate time.’
In 2013, Coun Goodway said that building a new headquarters at a new site would free up the County Hall site for a new convention centre and indoor arena.
Since resuming his place in the cabinet, Coun Goodway has reiterated his hopes for a new arena.
In October he told councillors that County Hall was one of six sites being assessed as a possible site for a new 15,000-capacity arena.