The Odssey Trust
The Odyssey complex was conceived as a National Lottery Millennium project.
However, it has proved itself since its opening in late 2000 as one of the more
successful markers of the beginning of the new millennium.
The complex comprises a 55,000
square metre building which
houses an arena, an educational
science centre known as W5
and a pavilion entertainment
area of several restaurants, bars,
a bowling alley and a cinema.
Its construction took three years
and the efforts of 1200 workers.
Since then the economic and
social impact of Odyssey has
been immense. Physically the
complex has broadened the
Belfast City centre base through
the provision of leisure and
entertainment facilities south
of the River Lagan that runs
through the middle of Belfast.
Over 1.5 million visitors passed
through its doors in 2007 and
concerts such as Take That in
October and Bruce Springsteen
in December draw thousands
to Belfast.
As the largest indoor
entertainment complex in
Ireland, Odyssey has attracted
local visitors and international
guests alike. Some come as
journalists and competitors to
cover or participate in international
sporting events but many
hundreds more travel from Britain
or come north from the Republic
of Ireland to watch the events.
The Northern Ireland marketplace
at 1.7 million of a population is
small and the appeal of Odyssey
could soon be exhausted if it were
not for the management of the
Odyssey Trust Company (OTC)
which moved during 2006 to
review the full economic and
physical potential of the location
of the complex.
Plans by developers and other
government bodies are advanced
for substantial development
of the Titanic Quarter adjacent
to the Odyssey site. These
plans include extensive quality
residential apartments, a
relocated further education
college (Belfast Metropolitan
College) capable of catering
for 12,000 students and various
new attractions including the
high-tech Public Record Office
of Northern Ireland.
The Odyssey complex is
positioned to be the gateway
to the new development. The
economic objective is to bring
what was formerly a barren
industrial wasteland to life.
The Board and management
of the Odyssey Trust Company
will be working to ensure that
Odyssey is best placed to be
involved in these significant
changes to Belfast.
Web. www.theodyssey.co.uk
Tel. 028 9045 1055