No Stadium at the Maze

[brokencrossbar1]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7856036.stm

There will be no multi-sports stadium built on the site of the Maze prison in Northern Ireland, it has been revealed.

The BBC has learned that Sports Minister Gregory Campbell has ruled out the controversial plan for the site.

He is opting instead to explore alternatives with the soccer, rugby and GAA authorities.

Money will be given to Linfield and the IFA for an upgrade to Windsor Park so internationals can be played there until a permanent solution is found.

The proposed Maze stadium has divided political and sporting opinion like few others.

Now it appears to be finally dead.

In his paper to executive colleagues, Sports Minister Gregory Campbell said the plan did not enjoy sufficient political consensus, and he said a net loss to the economy of between £156m and £193m did not compensate for the non-monetary benefits which may flow from a shared stadium.

Mr Campbell said he now intended to help the three sports to develop solutions to their stadia needs.

One possibility would be the upgrading of existing stadia, but he would also be prepared to consider making money available for the construction of a new stadium on a single sport or shared sport basis.

He also wants to review the work being undertaken by Belfast City Council which says it wants to build its own stadium in the city.

In the meantime, Mr Campbell has told officials to work with Linfield Football Club and the IFA to carry out a limited remedial programme at Windsor Park so that international football can be played there until a permanent solution is agreed.

He said he recognised the need to deal even-handedly with all three sports.

SDLP deputy leader Alasdair McDonnell said abandoning the Maze project would be unforgivable.

"If we lose the greatest of projects for the pettiest of reasons, no-one will forgive them and no one should," he said.

"The Department of Finance is itself in possession of reports indicating that it has the potential to generate thousands of jobs and possibly 10,000."

Sinn Fein's Barry McElduff said sports in Northern Ireland would be the loser.

"There will be far reaching implications for all of our sporting bodies and particularly the GAA, IFA and IRFU," he said.

"We will also lose out on major opportunities and potential windfall associated with grand scale sporting events such as the 2012 Olympics in London.

Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said: "The primary concern which unionists across the province have always had about the Maze was the potential it had to become a shrine to republican terror.

"Any announcement to scrap the proposed stadium, therefore, does not address the core issue."

[pintsofguinness]

Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said: "The primary concern which unionists across the province have always had about the Maze was the potential it had to become a shrine to republican terror.

[nifan]

Maybe thats what some of jima nd his mates where concerned about but was the last thing on my mind, and many others i talked to

[stew]

Big Rab must be happty, he wont be going to jail now.

I think this is very disappointing news given they are going to invest in wp, I also think the IFA have shot themselves in the foot because a lot of people simply are not willing to go there given the area of the city it is in.

As for the republician shrine business, I think that is a kop out, the thought of hard core norn fans sharing a stadium with the GAA would be a big concern, I have heard that myself and I am 3000 miles away ffs.

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

From http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8162382.stm

Ormeau is recommended for stadium


Consultants hired by Belfast City Council to look at possible sites for the new NI multi-sports stadium have recommended Ormeau Park.

The location was considered alongside other proposals such as the Blanchflower stadium at Sydenham and the Maysfield Leisure centre site.

It is thought the council spent more than £100,000 on the consultation.

However, Councillor Bob Stoker said political considerations meant Ormeau Park was not an automatic choice.

"My position would be that is the best choice in terms of geographical location, economic benefit, transport, location to the city centre," the chairman of the council's parks and leisure committee said. "It has everything going for it.

"But from the political point of view it is not a vote winner amongst representatives from that particular part of the city."

South Belfast assembly member Alex Maskey said the majority of residents in the area were against proposals to build the stadium at Ormeau Park.

"There are particular concerns around the loss of green space as well as the knock on effects that such as stadium would have, such as increased parking and traffic problems, and noise pollution," the Sinn Fein representative said.

"Added to this is the fact that there is not the infrastructure within the area to cope with such a project."

What does Stoker mean by "from the political point of view"?

[Donagh]

What does Stoker mean by "from the political point of view"?

There's no votes in it for him. Opposition will come from all over the place - Lower Ormeau, Ballynafeigh, Rosetta, Ravenhill, Stranmillis etc... 

I attended the residents meetings the last time this idea was floated it's very clear there is no support for it, not that Stoker would know as Maskey was the only politician from the area to attend the meetings.

Another significant problem to any potential development is that the £3 billion 'Belfast Sewers Project' has already been routed and built under the park.

[Rav67]

From http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8162382.stm

Ormeau is recommended for stadium


Consultants hired by Belfast City Council to look at possible sites for the new NI multi-sports stadium have recommended Ormeau Park.

The location was considered alongside other proposals such as the Blanchflower stadium at Sydenham and the Maysfield Leisure centre site.

It is thought the council spent more than £100,000 on the consultation.

However, Councillor Bob Stoker said political considerations meant Ormeau Park was not an automatic choice.

"My position would be that is the best choice in terms of geographical location, economic benefit, transport, location to the city centre," the chairman of the council's parks and leisure committee said. "It has everything going for it.

"But from the political point of view it is not a vote winner amongst representatives from that particular part of the city."

South Belfast assembly member Alex Maskey said the majority of residents in the area were against proposals to build the stadium at Ormeau Park.

"There are particular concerns around the loss of green space as well as the knock on effects that such as stadium would have, such as increased parking and traffic problems, and noise pollution," the Sinn Fein representative said.

"Added to this is the fact that there is not the infrastructure within the area to cope with such a project."

What does Stoker mean by "from the political point of view"?

Just think he means what Maskey said - rocal MLAs and councillors wont back it as a lot of opposition in the area.

[Orior]

Isnt this old news?

[johnneycool]

what sort of consultants would recommend ormeau park considering it has crap access in particular the road network which is log jammed every evening and if you've ever went to a game in Ravenhill you've no parking other than kerbside. Did these yahoo's speak to the local residents?