Iconic building to be focal point of Docks

Date Published: 17-Jul-2009

AN ICONIC building – similar in status to the Sydney Opera House – could be the focal point of a revamped Docks area aimed at establishing Galway as a top maritime city on the world stage.

This morning, the Galway Harbour Board launched a competition aimed at attracting leading national and international architects to come up with a ‘design idea’ for the building – to be located on the Centre Pier of the current Docks, currently used as a storage area.

Designers will get a ‘clear run’ at the site – the ‘centre piece’ of the project will be an external 1,500 spectator capacity space (1,000 seated) with a retractable or folding roof to give shelter.

The entire project would take up over 4,000 square metres of space and would also include a large stage; a flexible exhibition space; bars, restaurants and craft shops; marina facilities; a tourist information kiosk and commercial offices.

“We are very conscious of the fact that any development of the harbour and Docks area should be right for the city as a whole.

“I think that the Volvo Ocean Race brought…