This article is from page 12 of the 2005-09-27 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
THE COST of the Cliffs of Moher visitor cen- tre has now climbed to more than eight times the original estimate and Clare County Coun- cil faces an estimated €4 million shortfall in funding for the scheme.
Work commenced on the project last April. Project Leader Ger Dollard has confirmed that the revised estimate for the cost of the scheme is now €31.45 million.
Already, the Council has secured €10 million in grant aid from Failte Ireland for the scheme, while it has approval from Government to se- cure a loan of €15 million.
The overall figure includes an historic invest-
ment of €2 million by the Council in the 15- year-old project in land acquisition and project development, including payments to consult- ants.
The grant aid, loan approval and historic in- vestment add to €27 million, leaving a short- fall of €4.45 million.
However, the Council will be able to recover monies from Shannon Development spent on fit-out costs and the cost of providing tempo- rary facilities.
The two-storey centre is to be built into the hillside by Cork firm, Rohcon, behind the ex- isting centre.
Mr Dollard said that in an effort to bridge the funding gap, “we are putting in place a separate
company structure to manage the commercial aspects of the operation and allow VAT re- EN bes mae
He said, “We also have an application for additional grant aid with Failte Ireland, based on the actual tender received as opposed to the estimates originally submitted. And we are de- veloping a strong pitch for a corporate spon- sor.”
With the closing off of the lower part of the viewing area at the Cliffs as a result of the con- struction work, a growing number of tourists are going over the wall barrier near O’Brien’s tower to sit on the cliff edge.
Mr Dollard said, “I think the situation will be very much improved when the new experi-
ence is put in place. The location of the path- ways further back from the edge, the creation of raised platforms as viewing areas and the putting in place of extensive discreet signage will all help to encourage visitors to remain on the official pathways.
Wardens will also assist 1n advising visitors not to go to the cliff edge.”
As part of the project, the Council is to also seek World Heritage Site designation for the Oa
The Council’s business plan anticipates a 21 per cent increase in visitor numbers to 790,000 in the first five years of operation of the visi- tor centre, which will allow the Council secure over €4 million in entrance fees.