Taichung's new domed arena will cost far more than the near-NT$10 billion already budgeted, which is bad news for taxpayers and for anyone hoping to see events there soon.

• The city is spending close to NT$10 billion to build the dome, but that money only covers the shell.
• Interior work — wiring, security cameras, fittings — could cost another NT$2.4 billion.
• Construction is only 18% done, with the main structure not finished until 2030.
• A city councilor is pressing for a firm plan, warning that repeated delays keep pushing costs up.
• The venue will be run under a public-private deal, so the operator picked in the current tender pays for the fit-out.

Outlook: Bidding closes at the end of September, and no opening date can be set until an operator is chosen.