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

[Rossfan]

Build whatever can with the money available and get feckin on with it.

[LC]

Prior to today between Stormont, GAA and Irish Government they already had a pot of just under £120m.

Surely you could build something of a size bigger than Athletic Grounds and slightly smaller than Clones for that sort of dough.

People have to remember how many times a year will it be full and even when it does hold matches how many times will there be a crowd more than 5000.

[NAG1]

Prior to today between Stormont, GAA and Irish Government they already had a pot of just under £120m.

Surely you could build something of a size bigger than Athletic Grounds and slightly smaller than Clones for that sort of dough.

People have to remember how many times a year will it be full and even when it does hold matches how many times will there be a crowd more than 5000.

We aren't seeking to build a Athletic Grounds mark II.

We are and as we should be are seeking to build a state of the art stadium which can be one of the leading venues on the island of Ireland for generations to come.

The GAA will have to find more money and I've no issue with that, Ulster council too and they owe it to the Antrim Gaels for the shambles that they have created here.

But we should make no apologies in trying to strive for the best rather than looking to build another generic stadium with no other potential revenue streams outside of GAA.

[Evil Genius]

Build whatever can with the money available and get feckin on with it.

If only they had heeded that advice a decade or more ago... 

[NAG1]

Build whatever can with the money available and get feckin on with it.

If only they had heeded that advice a decade or more ago... 

If only the IFA had a little ambition and realised that when they built their stadium that it wouldn't even fit for purpose for any potential tournament, but hey ho.

Let's hope the GAA are a little more ambitious even if it has taken this shambles to get there.

[Evil Genius]

People have to remember how many times a year will it be full and even when it does hold matches how many times will there be a crowd more than 5000.

According to the GAA's own Event Management Plan, they estimate the full 34k capacity will be sold out for precisely ONE match per year:
https://minutes.belfastcity.gov.uk/documents/s92471/APPENDIX%202d%20S76%20Annex%203%20Event%20Management%20Plan.pdf

That's the Ulster Senior Final and assuming they don't move it to (VAT-free) Clones eg for Derry vs Donegal.

[Rossfan]

The problem wasn't money 10 or 12 years ago, it was nearly everything else!
Super facility is a grand aim but in the real world that requires hard cash.

[gallsman]

Also, everyone is well aware that whatever the finalised and approved design based cost is, this is Ireland. A 10% overrun would be an achievement. Someone a few pages back reminded everyone about the capacity of the NICS to completely f**k this up as well as the GAA. Presumably someone from the south will be on board to assist with their own particularly brand of public sector procurement fuckuppery. Then you'll have twats from both sides of the aisle in Stormont all over it for one reason or another.

That said, get it f**king built.

We are and as we should be are seeking to build a state of the art stadium which can be one of the leading venues on the island of Ireland for generations to come.

You don't think a 200m odd stadium can meet that brief? Sure why stop there? Look how awesome SoFi or the new Bernabeu are. We need a 100m long 360 degree scoreboard too! Imagine the amenities and the concessions that would be there. It could have a casual dining concourse better than Victoria Square! Let's spend billions!

[Evil Genius]

Build whatever can with the money available and get feckin on with it.

If only they had heeded that advice a decade or more ago... 

If only the IFA had a little ambition and realised that when they built their stadium that it wouldn't even fit for purpose for any potential tournament, but hey ho.

Let's hope the GAA are a little more ambitious even if it has taken this shambles to get there.

I agree completely that 18k was far too small. But whether or not that is so, they used £26m of their allocation to build the stadium they wanted, within budget and on time (subject to a delay which was not their fault), as did Ulster Rugby for Ravenhill, so neither the government or the taxpayer could complain.

But then, having decided to keep £36m back for Regional stadia, they found that that has been delayed over a decade, with the concomitant loss of value due to inflation etc, while we were forced to wait for Casement to be completed.

And now, when Westminster finds yet more money for Casement, there is no sign of any extra money for Soccer, despite the original 'Maze Money' supposed to be divided equally between the two codes.

Fact is, through absolutely no fault of our own, Soccer has been shafted here - never mind the poor sods stuck on hospital waiting lists, or watching schools crumble round them etc.

[red hander]

Build whatever can with the money available and get feckin on with it.

If only they had heeded that advice a decade or more ago... 

If only the IFA had a little ambition and realised that when they built their stadium that it wouldn't even fit for purpose for any potential tournament, but hey ho.

Let's hope the GAA are a little more ambitious even if it has taken this shambles to get there.

I agree completely that 18k was far too small. But whether or not that is so, they used £26m of their allocation to build the stadium they wanted, within budget and on time (subject to a delay which was not their fault), as did Ulster Rugby for Ravenhill, so neither the government or the taxpayer could complain.

But then, having decided to keep £36m back for Regional stadia, they found that that has been delayed over a decade, with the concomitant loss of value due to inflation etc, while we were forced to wait for Casement to be completed.

And now, when Westminster finds yet more money for Casement, there is no sign of any extra money for Soccer, despite the original 'Maze Money' supposed to be divided equally between the two codes.

Fact is, through absolutely no fault of our own, Soccer has been shafted here - never mind the poor sods stuck on hospital waiting lists, or watching schools crumble round them etc.

Wonder when that would be thrown up. But there's plenty of money for Dundonald Ice Bowl and cleaning up after Twelfth parades and bonfires. 

[Saffrongael]

Are we going to have several more months of trying to squeeze more money from Stormont or The Dail ? Or are we just going to get on with it, the GAA said they would commit more if necessary, that should be a quick decision now.

[NAG1]

Also, everyone is well aware that whatever the finalised and approved design based cost is, this is Ireland. A 10% overrun would be an achievement. Someone a few pages back reminded everyone about the capacity of the NICS to completely f**k this up as well as the GAA. Presumably someone from the south will be on board to assist with their own particularly brand of public sector procurement fuckuppery. Then you'll have twats from both sides of the aisle in Stormont all over it for one reason or another.

That said, get it f**king built.

We are and as we should be are seeking to build a state of the art stadium which can be one of the leading venues on the island of Ireland for generations to come.

You don't think a 200m odd stadium can meet that brief? Sure why stop there? Look how awesome SoFi or the new Bernabeu are. We need a 100m long 360 degree scoreboard too! Imagine the amenities and the concessions that would be there. It could have a casual dining concourse better than Victoria Square! Let's spend billions!

Where did you see me say that?

I asked for a little ambition and obviously that will come will certain parameters, I just wouldn't be in favour of building something simply to cost.

We should be ambitious and build the best for what budget is available. As has been said if BCC can blow 80m on an Ice Bowl then do the math.

[NAG1]

Are we going to have several more months of trying to squeeze more money from Stormont or The Dail ? Or are we just going to get on with it, the GAA said they would commit more if necessary, that should be a quick decision now.

Hoping the main players in this have been briefed in the background and this a choreographed move.

[naka]

Are we going to have several more months of trying to squeeze more money from Stormont or The Dail ? Or are we just going to get on with it, the GAA said they would commit more if necessary, that should be a quick decision now.

Hoping the main players in this have been briefed in the background and this a choreographed move.

Agree with this
Get it built
And make it eligible for soccer  and rugby to allow the norths  soccer team and Ulster rugby to use it if they want to up their revenue

[seafoid]

£50m from the Brits
https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2025/0611/1517757-casement-park/