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

[marty34]

The Ulster Council, when Casement not sold out, should be handing out hundreds of free tickets to clubs and schools etc. to encourage kids/parents and clubs etc. to boost the GAA. Good PR.

In fairness, they should be doing this anyway.

[twohands!!!]

Why are people so animated about the cost? Genuine question. Do you believe that by not building it the money will somehow be spent on some other part of government that will deliver some top class service or something? What is it about the cost specifically that people care about? 

Because the same thing that happened in Cork is going to happen except it's going to be across all of Ulster GAA as opposed to just one county when it comes to the paying of it. It's going to hoover up a huge percentage of the available money while being built and for a good while after, especially if it isn't able to make profit as a going concern. I think there is a serious risk of cutbacks and restrictions on spending across every absolutely every aspect of Ulster GAA for a good number of years.

[JimStynes]

Why are people so animated about the cost? Genuine question. Do you believe that by not building it the money will somehow be spent on some other part of government that will deliver some top class service or something? What is it about the cost specifically that people care about? 

Because the same thing that happened in Cork is going to happen except it's going to be across all of Ulster GAA as opposed to just one county when it comes to the paying of it. It's going to hoover up a huge percentage of the available money while being built and for a good while after, especially if it isn't able to make profit as a going concern. I think there is a serious risk of cutbacks and restrictions on spending across every absolutely every aspect of Ulster GAA for a good number of years.

What if the British Government throw another load of money at it?

[GTP]

Anything can be described as a waste of money or costing too much. If there is a failure to rebuild Casement Park it will show the North to be dysfunctional and incapable of delivering on major projects. The planning delays and safety issues that have cause the project to run this long reflect very badly on all the parties involved as it is.
At present the argument over funding seems to be verging into the sectarian sphere and or the normal pattern of this place, if they get something we want the same.
A new stadium for GAA matches and other activities will not do anyone any harm and should produce benefits across the region and island. Someone somewhere should have the gumption to get on with building it.

For comparison with other large-scale projects which may be considered a waste of money:
Dundonald International Ice Bowl.
Councillors agreed to invest £52 million in the popular leisure complex over the next three years.
Belfast Stories: As a new £100 million visitor destination located close to Belfast's Cathedral Quarter, will be a landmark signature experience in the heart of the city that speaks to the essence of Belfast and its people.
Strule shared campus is the biggest school building project to be planned in Northern Ireland. Beset by delays, the project's cost has soared to an anticipated £341m.

And even at a total cost of £225 million it would only be a one-off investment of £5 per adult across the UK. I don't think it will bankrupt anyone.

[Sportacus]

Why are people so animated about the cost? Genuine question. Do you believe that by not building it the money will somehow be spent on some other part of government that will deliver some top class service or something? What is it about the cost specifically that people care about? 

Because the same thing that happened in Cork is going to happen except it's going to be across all of Ulster GAA as opposed to just one county when it comes to the paying of it. It's going to hoover up a huge percentage of the available money while being built and for a good while after, especially if it isn't able to make profit as a going concern. I think there is a serious risk of cutbacks and restrictions on spending across every absolutely every aspect of Ulster GAA for a good number of years.

Does anyone actually know how much it will cost?
Has anyone seen the business case that will cover the ongoing running costs?

It'll have to be top spec to meet the Euros standard.  So who maintains the catering facilities and hospitality suites every day of the week when the Euros are long gone?

Where are the commitments from American football organisers or concert promoters to use the stadium?

Has Antrim any commitment from Ulster Council that they can use the ground, and at what cost?

Who wouldn't want a shiny big stadium to sit in if someone else is paying for it.  But this is big stuff and I don't see any evidence that the people involved have the professionalism to make it work beyond the first few months that it opens. I wouldn't fancy sinking my money into it.

[trailer]

Why are people so animated about the cost? Genuine question. Do you believe that by not building it the money will somehow be spent on some other part of government that will deliver some top class service or something? What is it about the cost specifically that people care about? 

Because the same thing that happened in Cork is going to happen except it's going to be across all of Ulster GAA as opposed to just one county when it comes to the paying of it. It's going to hoover up a huge percentage of the available money while being built and for a good while after, especially if it isn't able to make profit as a going concern. I think there is a serious risk of cutbacks and restrictions on spending across every absolutely every aspect of Ulster GAA for a good number of years.

Why? What are the costs?

[JimStynes]

It's the spoofing that annoys me. A bunch of amateurs and their only hope now is that the UK Government throw the money at it to deliver the Euros, whatever it takes. That may save their skin in the end, but never forget it has been a complete fiasco.

And every chance it will be an underused white elephant. The euros will be gone in a blink, and then what?  Potentially one or two capacity games per year, and as far as concerts, there are plenty of established venues already so there'll be plenty of competition for the big artists to pick from - no guarantee at all of success there either. 

And where will an Antrim U16 final be played?  Will they really go to the cost of opening a 34k seat stadium for a club underage final?

Like who cares? The Euros will pay for it itself. Even if it will be a white elephant (which i don;t think it will), we often see tournaments build stadia and leave them in place for use. Why is this seen as a bad thing? It'll be paid for and got the money back in tax, and then will be used for otehr events

And yes? Hardly would think they'll open up every stand and have 100s of stewards. But absolutely. Isn't this the point, that finals even underage ones are played at the main county ground? Jeez, this is mad stuff you're getting annoyed at. It hardly costs millions to open a gate and one stand for a club match

When Casement was open it was used all the time for Antrim club games with a few 100 people there.

I played the old Casement too. U14 feile final, and U16 county game. I still remember it and can say I played it. I can't see it not being used, and this stuff drives kids to love the game and such.

My Da played for the over 40s and they trained on Casement regularly. Like many in here I am sure we all got to play and train many many times on Casement. It was open for use all the time for every level of team. I have no doubt that would change now but I don't think it will be locked for 1 or 2 county games a year. Croke Park is used all the time. Our Special Needs team were down at a tournament last year in Croke Park for example. This will also be a 33k stadium, not 85k. It's not as big and people are thinking it is.

But sure we will turn it down and use Clones for another 30 years. Sure there's something special about the place....

[Pub Bore]

Why are people so animated about the cost? Genuine question. Do you believe that by not building it the money will somehow be spent on some other part of government that will deliver some top class service or something? What is it about the cost specifically that people care about? 

Because the same thing that happened in Cork is going to happen except it's going to be across all of Ulster GAA as opposed to just one county when it comes to the paying of it. It's going to hoover up a huge percentage of the available money while being built and for a good while after, especially if it isn't able to make profit as a going concern. I think there is a serious risk of cutbacks and restrictions on spending across every absolutely every aspect of Ulster GAA for a good number of years.

What if the British Government throw another load of money at it?

That's what is going to happen Jim.  The GAA might come up with another £5mill or so, but after the furore dies down the Brits will stump up.

[trailer]

We need a modern stadium irrespective of the costs. £200, £300m, £400m, £500m who really gives a f**k? Like a proper f**k? We're getting it and Stormont, the British Gov, and the GAA can pay for it.

End of.

[Dreadnought]

The Ulster Council, when Casement not sold out, should be handing out hundreds of free tickets to clubs and schools etc. to encourage kids/parents and clubs etc. to boost the GAA. Good PR.

In fairness, they should be doing this anyway.

I get the reasoning, but this doesn't work long term. Yes, do a game here or there with all U16s free. But if you just hand out free tickets for loads of people, you undermine those paying, and those who do pay won't as they'll want the handout instead

[JPGJOHNNYG]

Watched Nolan last night. He is an awful bollix for stirring. The casement debate about costs was split up with a piece about how there is no funding for special needs schooling. As if to say you have to choose one or the other ffs

[johnnycool]

Watched Nolan last night. He is an awful bollix for stirring. The casement debate about costs was split up with a piece about how there is no funding for special needs schooling. As if to say you have to choose one or the other ffs

Did he not mention the £60M, rising to £80M for the Dundonald Ice Bowl?

Stop watching that shíte?

No nationalist "commentator" or politician should give that bollox the skin of their shíte.

[JoG2]

The Ulster Council, when Casement not sold out, should be handing out hundreds of free tickets to clubs and schools etc. to encourage kids/parents and clubs etc. to boost the GAA. Good PR.

In fairness, they should be doing this anyway.

Same Ulster council that charges wains into the McKenna Cup games?

[Armagh18]

We need a modern stadium irrespective of the costs. £200, £300m, £400m, £500m who really gives a f**k? Like a proper f**k? We're getting it and Stormont, the British Gov, and the GAA can pay for it.

End of.

Yup.

[Armagh18]

The Ulster Council, when Casement not sold out, should be handing out hundreds of free tickets to clubs and schools etc. to encourage kids/parents and clubs etc. to boost the GAA. Good PR.

In fairness, they should be doing this anyway.

I get the reasoning, but this doesn't work long term. Yes, do a game here or there with all U16s free. But if you just hand out free tickets for loads of people, you undermine those paying, and those who do pay won't as they'll want the handout instead

Doubt too many will begrudge a few school kids getting tickets.