About Belfast Odyssey
The Odyssey Complex is a sports and entertainment complex located within the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The complex originated in 1992 however did not come into fruition until June 1998. It opened in December 2000, with expansions opening in March and May of 2001. The complex consists of: a multipurpose arena, science centre and shopping centre. The shopping centre houses a movie theatre, bowling alley and night club, alongside many retail stores and restaurants. HistoryIt was 50% funded by a £45m grant from the Millennium Commission as the Landmark Project for Northern Ireland with matched funding from the Department of Education Northern Ireland, the Sheridan Group and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. The application to the Millennium Commission was led by the Ulster Museum, who wished to develop a science centre and teamed up with Peter Curistan who wished to develop an IMAX, and then led the development of the Arena with L& R leisure who were the consultants. The name Odyssey, was to symbolise the 'journey of discovery' that would be the science centre and Michael Montgomery, a young 14 year old at the time came up with the name. The complex adopted the name, and the Science Centre became W5. The arena opened in 2000, W5 on 31 March 2001 with the Pavilion opening a few months later. The Odyssey is quoted to have cost £120 million on completion. Odyssey was held in Trust by the Odyssey Trust Company with leases to SMG /Sheridan for the Arena, Sheridan for the Pavilion and the National Museums NI for W5. In 2011 Odyssey Trust took over the Arena. In 2011 The Odyssey Pavilion which was owned by The Sheridan Group went into administration, the building is now under control of KPMG until a new owner is found. It is managed by The Odyssey Trust.
Belfast Odyssey Description
The Odyssey Complex is a sports and entertainment complex located within the Titanic Quarter in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The complex originated in 1992 however did not come into fruition until June 1998. It opened in December 2000, with expansions opening in March and May of 2001. The complex consists of: a multipurpose arena, science centre and shopping centre. The shopping centre houses a movie theatre, bowling alley and night club, alongside many retail stores and restaurants. HistoryIt was 50% funded by a £45m grant from the Millennium Commission as the Landmark Project for Northern Ireland with matched funding from the Department of Education Northern Ireland, the Sheridan Group and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. The application to the Millennium Commission was led by the Ulster Museum, who wished to develop a science centre and teamed up with Peter Curistan who wished to develop an IMAX, and then led the development of the Arena with L& R leisure who were the consultants. The name Odyssey, was to symbolise the 'journey of discovery' that would be the science centre and Michael Montgomery, a young 14 year old at the time came up with the name. The complex adopted the name, and the Science Centre became W5. The arena opened in 2000, W5 on 31 March 2001 with the Pavilion opening a few months later. The Odyssey is quoted to have cost £120 million on completion. Odyssey was held in Trust by the Odyssey Trust Company with leases to SMG /Sheridan for the Arena, Sheridan for the Pavilion and the National Museums NI for W5. In 2011 Odyssey Trust took over the Arena. In 2011 The Odyssey Pavilion which was owned by The Sheridan Group went into administration, the building is now under control of KPMG until a new owner is found. It is managed by The Odyssey Trust.