NI Sports Stadium: Options Weighed-up

Provision of a top-class sports stadium for Northern Ireland is again back on the agenda.

Just a few months after a proposal for a multi-sports stadium proposed for the Maze site was formally rejected by the Stormont Executive, NI Sports Minister, Nelson McCausland (pictured) has met with the governing bodies of the three main ball sports bodies on stadium development.

Welcoming representatives of the Irish Football Association, the Ulster Council of the Gaelic Athletic Association and the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union to the collective meeting, the Minister said: "The issue of regional stadium development in Northern Ireland requires focus and direction.

"As the new Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, and following on from my predecessor's good work, I want to show leadership and resolve, in conjunction with the Governing Bodies, in moving this forward," he said.

"I have chosen to meet with all the bodies at the same time to ensure that there is a level playing field around discussion on this issue as we seek to move forward on this issue together."

The Minister confirmed his intention to engage positively with the governing bodies to address the respective strategic needs of the individual sports within the prevailing policy, legislative and resource context.

Referring to the stadium options which the governing bodies had presented to his predecessor, the Minister said: "Late last month the Northern Ireland Executive considered the stadium development proposals submitted by the governing bodies and agreed that these should be formally reviewed by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) and Sport Northern Ireland.

"I have since set in place a process which will include economic appraisals of the options, and variations around those options, in terms of their value for money, operational viability, sustainability, affordability and, crucially, the ability to meet the sports' long-term strategic stadium needs," he continued.

The Minister highlighted the importance of the sports' bodies fully engaging with the process to ensure a successful outcome.

He added: "While I will be seeking significant Executive financial support for stadium development, I will also be looking to the governing bodies to make their own contribution.

"Additionally, I will require evidence from the economic appraisals that the governing bodies will be able to finance the running costs of a fully operational stadium and provide for long-term maintenance requirements," he concluded, yesterday.

The issue previously became heavily politicised. Sinn Féin MLA Barry McElduff, who chairs the Assembly Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee, said in January that axing the Maze plan would have far reaching ramifications for local sporting bodies and for the construction industry.

He said the Long Kesh stadium issue had become embroiled in an internal DUP row between Mr Campbell (the previous DCAL minister) and other senior colleagues to the detriment of both sport and the local construction industry who would have benefited from this plan.

See: SF Slams Minister As Maze Stadium Plans Axed

(BMcC/JM)