02/03/2007

DUP and Crusaders say ‘no’ to National Stadium plans

The DUP have revealed they have welcomed the Secretary of State Peter Hain’s comments regarding the siting of Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium in the Welsh capital city centre.

Councillor William, the former High Sheriff of Belfast and DUP Assembly candidate for north Belfast said: “We now have the Secretary of State clearly accepting what many of us have been saying for some time. If Northern Ireland is to have a new national Stadium it needs to be sited in Belfast.”

He continued: “Peter Hain’s comments are further evidence that the wheels are coming off his own government’s plans for the National Stadium to be sited at The Maze outside Lisburn. It must now be crystal clear that The Maze Stadium does not have the necessary widespread support within the football fraternity in Northern Ireland and indeed the wider community.”

Premier League club Crusaders have also came out last night and said they are against the government-favoured Maze site.

The club broke ranks and Chairman Jim Semple told Belfast’s Newsletter they had already replied and said no to the Maze plans.

“Everyone on our committee is of the opinion the new stadium should be in the city just like the Millenium in Cardiff, Wembley in London and Hampden Park in Glasgow.”

Councillor Humphrey concluded: “It is time that the political agenda of those pushing The Maze project is ended and that sport and sporting facilities are the main consideration regarding the siting of stadia and not politics.”

The 35,000-seater stadium is planned as the national venue for rugby, football and GAA.

(JM/SP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

13 June 2008
Maze Stadium Plan 'A Winner' Says Former Minister
Locating Northern Ireland's national stadium at the former Maze prison site is the only worthy option - according to a former NI Executive Minister. Edwin Poots, speaking for the first time since being replaced as Arts and Culture Minister, does not believe he had lost his job because of his support for the controversial Maze stadium project.
08 April 2009
Maze Stadium Plan Officially 'Dead'
The Maze Stadium plan is officially cancelled. The Stormont Executive's First Minister and Deputy First Minister today announced that the mooted MLK Masterplan won't now proceed in its original proposed form.
10 March 2008
Still No Decision On Maze Stadium
There are no immediate plans for Northern Ireland's leading unionist party to veto proposals to build a contentious sports stadium at the Maze.
25 June 2008
NI Squad Will Suffer From Stadium Indecision, Says Stormont Paper
The Stormont Government's indecisiveness over the location for a national stadium for Northern Ireland could force the NI soccer side to play matches outside the Province.
31 March 2005
Government plumps for Maze as site for national stadium
The site of a new Northern Ireland multi-sports stadium can only be housed at the former Maze prison site in Co Antrim, the Government has said. Finance Minister Ian Pearson said on Wednesday that he intends to put the design of the 365-acre site out to tender after sites at Titanic Quarter and the North Foreshore of Belfast Lough were rejected.