Casement Park in line for major overhaul - 40,000 all seater Stadium.

[Sportacus]

As far as I can see the Ulster Council can't produce any evidence of a funding commitment.  Did Chris Heaton Harris tell them something over a scone, sure that's worth nothing with a Tory Minister.

Where is the requirement that Ulster GAA must provide this? If they've been told it's being funded why the need to tell us?

No need, although it is central to the whole issue and if they had something concrete, it wouldn't be hard to say what the commitment actually was - a letter, an email, a conversation???.

But the point I'm actually making is that some people are boldly saying it 'will' be built, but how can you be so sure the UK government will stump up the missing £100+ million?

[p3427977]

As far as I can see the Ulster Council can't produce any evidence of a funding commitment.  Did Chris Heaton Harris tell them something over a scone, sure that's worth nothing with a Tory Minister.

Where is the requirement that Ulster GAA must provide this? If they've been told it's being funded why the need to tell us?

No need, although it is central to the whole issue and if they had something concrete, it wouldn't be hard to say what the commitment actually was - a letter, an email, a conversation???.

But the point I'm actually making is that some people are boldly saying it 'will' be built, but how can you be so sure the UK government will stump up the missing £100+ million?

I'm not sure if it will be stumped up but it would be extremely silly if it wasn't. I've spoken with people involved with the project in the civil service and apparently the benefits that Casement will bring are huge. So the Executive and Gov both know this so it's silly to even think it might not go ahead.

[Dreadnought]

I think Heaton Harris has rowed back a bit since his initial commitment but I'd be surprised if they didn't pony up.
That said, we're in the dark as regards the actual figures at play here. Perhaps, like the GAA, the British govt had a bottom line figure they weren't intending to budge on.

Regardless of funding, where are we on time?
When do we expect to see an appointed contractor?
Will it be ready for Euro 2028 (2027)? It must be very tight and is it likely to continue without any other delays?
What would no Euro 2028 mean for the stadium?

They need a contractor this autumn to have a mid 2027 completion date. 2027 Ulster final was the target, but will be just beyond that now. Obviously with that time frame, works can start a little later. But can't be going beyond late 27 or early 28. We see some tournaments with stadia finished weeks before, but can't be at that here.

If no Euros, it means the area does not draw in the injection fans would give and it's meant to be worth a lot. 300 million for the island, so fair slice of that lost to Belfast area. Consequently, if no Euros, the plans could be revised as need to decide if a UEFA grade stadium is still needed. The costs have risen due to the need for the additional UEFA grade 3 facilities that a GAA only stadium doesn't need

[seafoid]

I think Heaton Harris has rowed back a bit since his initial commitment but I'd be surprised if they didn't pony up.
That said, we're in the dark as regards the actual figures at play here. Perhaps, like the GAA, the British govt had a bottom line figure they weren't intending to budge on.

Regardless of funding, where are we on time?
When do we expect to see an appointed contractor?
Will it be ready for Euro 2028 (2027)? It must be very tight and is it likely to continue without any other delays?
What would no Euro 2028 mean for the stadium?

They need a contractor this autumn to have a mid 2027 completion date. 2027 Ulster final was the target, but will be just beyond that now. Obviously with that time frame, works can start a little later. But can't be going beyond late 27 or early 28. We see some tournaments with stadia finished weeks before, but can't be at that here.

If no Euros, it means the area does not draw in the injection fans would give and it's meant to be worth a lot. 300 million for the island, so fair slice of that lost to Belfast area. Consequently, if no Euros, the plans could be revised as need to decide if a UEFA grade stadium is still needed. The costs have risen due to the need for the additional UEFA grade 3 facilities that a GAA only stadium doesn't need

Who came up with the Euros idea ?

[cup1000]

Be interesting to see what "our side" has to say once they see there will be no GAA museum and the field will be too short for GAA and need a retrofit after the Euros. lets keep our powder dry for now...

There is no GAA museum in Clones, Breffni park, Pairc Esler, Athletic grounds, etc. That is not central, apply for some funding later to open a museum.
Field shorter would be a question of what is needed to restore it.

Here I agree. There won't handball alleys either and to me that is fine to get it over the line. But wait and see how GAA ones react. Sure look at this thread, lick of paint, cover an oul stand, powerwash the terraces, it'll do rightly.

What are you on about, there's a Culture/Heritage centre and Handball alleys planned for the stadium as shown in the Casement promo video on youtube and in the approved plans submitted to the council?

[JPGJOHNNYG]

Jarlath Burns was interviewed on RTE Radio 1 today https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22360753/

He said that the GAA will not be putting in any more money because its original plan was not accepted and the Euros were added on later and if people want the Euros to go ahead in West Belfast they will have to pony up . Sin é.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkW2vEuYa1o

I think that's fair enough, however if the GAA added an extra 5 million then surely the DUP twats can't say no to the executive upping their commitments by the same % that would be 20 million plus 83 million from stormont plus 42 million from Dublin. That's 145 million that leaves 50 odd million from London. 200 million should easily get a 35000 capacity stadium unless the builders are using gold and diamonds FFS.

[Derry Optimist]

To all Unionists,Nationalists,Catholics,Protestants and Dissenters alike; sports -people and non sports - people on the island of Ireland and beyond. To  UEFA, NI Executive, British and Irish Governments. Take note why Casement Park deserves its new stadium to be developed at once. Ignore the begrudgers and biased key board warriors.
Tomorrow, February 27th, everyone of you should go out and get a copy of The Irish News and turn immediately to the greatest article ever written on how the GAA HAS AND IS CONTRIBUTING  so massively and continually to the betterment of Irish society. Take the journalistic plaudits of all right - thinking people, one Cathair O'Kane, for you have really and accurately pinpointed how the GAA needs and has earned the inalienable right for Casement Park's new stadium  to be built immediately.

 Cathair has summarised what the GAA has done on its own initiatives, how thousands of volunteers have built up successful clubs in every county, engaged so many young people in healthy pastimes and travelled hundreds of miles over the years in every town, city and parish in our country to fundraise so that future generations and communities would have a happy and healthy society.

Well done Cathair.You have done your own club,county and country proud.I have no doubt that our new GAA President, Jarlath Burns, will concur and give us all an extra push and incentive to get the dreams of all Ulster Gaels attained sooner rather than later.

[Dreadnought]

I think Heaton Harris has rowed back a bit since his initial commitment but I'd be surprised if they didn't pony up.
That said, we're in the dark as regards the actual figures at play here. Perhaps, like the GAA, the British govt had a bottom line figure they weren't intending to budge on.

Regardless of funding, where are we on time?
When do we expect to see an appointed contractor?
Will it be ready for Euro 2028 (2027)? It must be very tight and is it likely to continue without any other delays?
What would no Euro 2028 mean for the stadium?

They need a contractor this autumn to have a mid 2027 completion date. 2027 Ulster final was the target, but will be just beyond that now. Obviously with that time frame, works can start a little later. But can't be going beyond late 27 or early 28. We see some tournaments with stadia finished weeks before, but can't be at that here.

If no Euros, it means the area does not draw in the injection fans would give and it's meant to be worth a lot. 300 million for the island, so fair slice of that lost to Belfast area. Consequently, if no Euros, the plans could be revised as need to decide if a UEFA grade stadium is still needed. The costs have risen due to the need for the additional UEFA grade 3 facilities that a GAA only stadium doesn't need

Who came up with the Euros idea ?

Uk were in initially, then Ireland joined in which meant the 5 football associations covering the areas. A joint bid either way for the 2 governments, with them bidding for 2028 meaning they withdrew a bid for 2030 World Cup too.

[Dreadnought]

As far as I can see the Ulster Council can't produce any evidence of a funding commitment.  Did Chris Heaton Harris tell them something over a scone, sure that's worth nothing with a Tory Minister.

Where is the requirement that Ulster GAA must provide this? If they've been told it's being funded why the need to tell us?

No need, although it is central to the whole issue and if they had something concrete, it wouldn't be hard to say what the commitment actually was - a letter, an email, a conversation???.

But the point I'm actually making is that some people are boldly saying it 'will' be built, but how can you be so sure the UK government will stump up the missing £100+ million?

As don't think they can afford not to. It'll pay back multiples of that, and the optics will be extremely bad otherwise

[Derryman forever]

To all Unionists,Nationalists,Catholics,Protestants and Dissenters alike; sports -people and non sports - people on the island of Ireland and beyond. To  UEFA, NI Executive, British and Irish Governments. Take note why Casement Park deserves its new stadium to be developed at once. Ignore the begrudgers and biased key board warriors.
Tomorrow, February 27th, everyone of you should go out and get a copy of The Irish News and turn immediately to the greatest article ever written on how the GAA HAS AND IS CONTRIBUTING  so massively and continually to the betterment of Irish society. Take the journalistic plaudits of all right - thinking people, one Cathair O'Kane, for you have really and accurately pinpointed how the GAA needs and has earned the inalienable right for Casement Park's new stadium  to be built immediately.

 Cathair has summarised what the GAA has done on its own initiatives, how thousands of volunteers have built up successful clubs in every county, engaged so many young people in healthy pastimes and travelled hundreds of miles over the years in every town, city and parish in our country to fundraise so that future generations and communities would have a happy and healthy society.

Well done Cathair.You have done your own club,county and country proud.I have no doubt that our new GAA President, Jarlath Burns, will concur and give us all an extra push and incentive to get the dreams of all Ulster Gaels attained sooner rather than later.

It is an excellent article.
Cahir is spot on.

[rrhf]

As far as I can see the Ulster Council can't produce any evidence of a funding commitment.  Did Chris Heaton Harris tell them something over a scone, sure that's worth nothing with a Tory Minister.

Where is the requirement that Ulster GAA must provide this? If they've been told it's being funded why the need to tell us?

No need, although it is central to the whole issue and if they had something concrete, it wouldn't be hard to say what the commitment actually was - a letter, an email, a conversation???.

But the point I'm actually making is that some people are boldly saying it 'will' be built, but how can you be so sure the UK government will stump up the missing £100+ million?

As don't think they can afford not to. It'll pay back multiples of that, and the optics will be extremely bad otherwise

I think if they renege a border poll should be called that afternoon...

[trailer]

Be interesting to see what "our side" has to say once they see there will be no GAA museum and the field will be too short for GAA and need a retrofit after the Euros. lets keep our powder dry for now...

There is no GAA museum in Clones, Breffni park, Pairc Esler, Athletic grounds, etc. That is not central, apply for some funding later to open a museum.
Field shorter would be a question of what is needed to restore it.

Here I agree. There won't handball alleys either and to me that is fine to get it over the line. But wait and see how GAA ones react. Sure look at this thread, lick of paint, cover an oul stand, powerwash the terraces, it'll do rightly.

What are you on about, there's a Culture/Heritage centre and Handball alleys planned for the stadium as shown in the Casement promo video on youtube and in the approved plans submitted to the council?

Retro fit. Won't be included for the Euros. Pitch will be smaller with some sort of additional temp seating. It won't look like a soccer pitch on a GAA field with the supporters miles away. Uefa have rules.

[Pub Bore]

I'm a wee bit surprised (but not shocked) at the number of soccer people in NI who would rather that the Euros didn't come to Belfast than see Casement built, and it has f-all to do with a legacy for soccer, tax payer's money or regional stadia.

[Applesisapples]

Opposition from certain unionists, commentators and some in the media   to Casement is grounded solely in their own sectarian outlook. To say otherwise is a lie. £63M for a f**king ice bowl, no bother. Says it all. Take the £50m from the  Irish Govt and the £65m from the Executive  top it up from our  own coffers build  a GAA stadium as best we can and let NI play home games in the Aviva.

[trailer]

Be some stadium if we can get it over the line. Every GAA Man, Woman and Child should be pushing so hard for this.