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26/03/2009
Ulster Rugby Refutes 'Interest' In Blanchflower Project
Long running plans for the development of a multi-sports stadium for Northern Ireland have again been 'kicked into touch' with news that a top sports body isn't interested in the latest project being mooted.
With the previous proposal for a huge facility on the site of the former Maze Prison effectively shelved, there were hopes today an arena would be built on a 90-acre site in east Belfast at the Danny Blanchflower playing fields.
The GAA has already said that seating capacity is too small and now - despite claims to the contrary - Ulster Rugby has said it is not committed "in any way" to a new stadium in east Belfast.
A business consortium, Eastonville Traders Ltd, is planning to build the 20,000 capacity stadium for football and rugby in the Sydenham area.
However, just hours after the plan was revealed, Ulster Rugby's spokesman said that the lack of "any appropriate business case" meant it does not form part of its plans to develop stadia for the sport.
The consortium had claimed the project is of interest to both the Irish Football Association and rugby's Ulster Branch.
However, Ulster Rugby has also ruled out the proposed stadium as a training venue.
A statement said: "Ulster Rugby confirms that they are in discussions with Newforge Country Club with regard to extending their lease of the site as a training base for a further ten years, during which time a dedicated training facility will be developed on-site,"
Meanwhile, the IFA said it welcomes any proposals "provided the finances stack up".
(BMcC/JM)
With the previous proposal for a huge facility on the site of the former Maze Prison effectively shelved, there were hopes today an arena would be built on a 90-acre site in east Belfast at the Danny Blanchflower playing fields.
The GAA has already said that seating capacity is too small and now - despite claims to the contrary - Ulster Rugby has said it is not committed "in any way" to a new stadium in east Belfast.
A business consortium, Eastonville Traders Ltd, is planning to build the 20,000 capacity stadium for football and rugby in the Sydenham area.
However, just hours after the plan was revealed, Ulster Rugby's spokesman said that the lack of "any appropriate business case" meant it does not form part of its plans to develop stadia for the sport.
The consortium had claimed the project is of interest to both the Irish Football Association and rugby's Ulster Branch.
However, Ulster Rugby has also ruled out the proposed stadium as a training venue.
A statement said: "Ulster Rugby confirms that they are in discussions with Newforge Country Club with regard to extending their lease of the site as a training base for a further ten years, during which time a dedicated training facility will be developed on-site,"
Meanwhile, the IFA said it welcomes any proposals "provided the finances stack up".
(BMcC/JM)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
