Work starts on Ricoh Arena convention centre

Work has started on the creation of a multimillion-pound convention centre at Ricoh Arena ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.Work has begun to transform the existing conference and exhibition space in the lower halls at the Coventry venue, which will be named Coventry Building Society Arena from this summer, and marks the first stage of construction in the creation of the Commonwealth Convention Centre.The three-month project involves the space undergoing an aesthetic overhaul along with the installation of a digital and audio-visual technology system.Transformation of the existing halls at the arena is being funded through the £3.8m granted to the venue by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), via the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) as part of the government’s Getting Building Fund.An additional £1.4m has also been made available to Ricoh Arena via CWLEP from the Local Growth Fund and Growing Places Fund.The Commonwealth Convention Centre is expected to open its doors by the first quarter of 2022.