Coventry Arena development gets under way

Construction work on the £113m Coventry Arena begun last month, and is due for completion in the summer 2005.

The development includes a new 32,000-seat stadium – with Coventry City Football club as tenant – a 91,000sq ft exhibition facility, a 27,000sq ft conference facility and 13,000sq ft of office space.

The 32,000-seat stadium will include public facilities and eight separate dining rooms – including a 1,000-seat banqueting suite.

Furthermore, 90,000sq ft has been reserved to accommodate a resort casino – run by US-based Isle of Capri – and 18,000sq ft for a health and fitness club.

Law firm Pinsents is advising Coventry City Council on the joint venture agreement with the Alan Edwards Higgs Trust.

Patrick Twist, head of projects at Pinsents, said: “The Arena will provide a landmark facility and a catalyst for regeneration of a major Brownfield site.

“The involvement of a major international casino operator enables the Council to optimise the scope for cooperation between the public and private sectors.”

The site falls into two main parts and is divided by a railway line. The entire south side has been sold to Tesco for the development of the largest Tesco superstore in Europe.

Access to the site will be via improved connecting roads and a new railway station will serve the site. Details: www.coventry.gov.uk