EXCLUSIVE: Clash over 'business case' for privately funded arena in Kilkenny

An ambitious idea to bring a large privately-funded sports arena to Kilkenny has fallen through, with a clash of accounts between Kilkenny County Council and the President of the Irish Ice Hockey Association over what went wrong.

In May 2024, a promoter (President of the Irish Ice Hockey Association, Aaron Guli) approached Kilkenny County Council alongside potential investors with an ambitious idea to build a multi-purpose sports arena in Kilkenny.

Two potential facility scales were discussed at that point in time between both parties.

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“Initial contact was made by a promoter of the proposal in May 2024 who was considering Kilkenny as a preferred location for a [sports stadium],” noted Tim Butler, Director of Services at Kilkenny County Council.

“The promoter indicated that there was a potential €100 - 120 million investment at stake. Having regard to the proposed value of this investment and potential public lands required, the council requested the promoter forward a business case for evaluation and consideration in advance of any commitment.

“No business case was submitted,” Mr Butler said.

“Instead, the promoter emailed a request seeking approximately three acres to provide a community sports centre and seeking a commitment for financial and other supports for their proposal,” said Mr Butler.

Aaron Guli, President of the Irish Ice Hockey Association, says that he believes that the council ‘isn’t painting the whole picture’.

Mr Guli confirmed that during an initial meeting on May 7 (2024), two proposals were presented: one involving a 5,000 to 6,000-seat arena with a hotel and community centre, and another for a smaller facility with an ice rink and sports hall.

“At that initial meeting they were like ‘yeah, that would be fantastic, this is great, we would love to have it in Kilkenny’,” Guli recalled.

He then stated that approximately one week later he submitted a feasibility study prepared for a similar project in Dublin, which he believed offered a solid foundation for discussions.

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However, when he met again with council officials on May 24, he said “negativity was starting to creep in,” and that most of the sites shown as possible contenders for the arena were private rather than public.

“When we’re looking at coming in with a bare minimum of investment of between €100-120 million… one would think that there would be more of a positive reception than what we got," Mr Guli said.

Kilkenny County Council said a further meeting in October included US-based developers who explained how similar projects are funded in America, often through additional developments such as hotels or housing.

Kilkenny County Council, in turn, explained Irish planning processes and the availability of zoned land.

Kilkenny County Council remained firm in its requirement for a formal business case before committing any land or financial support.

“In the absence of any business case or feasibility study this council could not give consideration to any such commitment for lands and/or other support,” Mr Butler said.

The President of the Irish Ice Hockey Association acknowledged that the council did ask ‘several times for a business case, but they weren’t answering any of our questions’.

“How do we put forth a business case based on sheer guessing and speculation?,” he contended.

Mr Guli stated that an August visit to Kilkenny to survey possible sites was followed by attempts from him to set up meetings with council officials in September that were delayed, ‘due to a scheduling issue’.

The next meeting, Mr Guli stated, didn’t take place until October 30, with little progress being made thereafter.

“By January 30 (2025), I emailed and stated that it was clear that they had no interest. That’s when my investors said… we’re not interested anymore.”

In the face of recent online criticism, Kilkenny County Council pointed out that they did not inform elected councillors of the proposals because “there was no credible or believable proposal put to the executive that could be brought to them for meaningful consideration.”

Director of Services, Mr Tim Butler, also referenced ‘false information’ being shared on social media in relation to the discussions.

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Kilkenny County Council concluded by reaffirming its general support for sport in the region: “We recognise the value of all sports for the people of Kilkenny and will continue to work with communities and groups to ensure suitable and adequate lands are zoned to support them to develop to their potential.”

Mr Guli stated that he 'genuinely would've loved' for the plans in Kilkenny to progress to the next stage.

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