Casement will not host Rules game

[Maguire01]

No point in starting a new thread for this one...

Sports fans' lives are at risk in unsafe Northern Ireland venues, claim MLAs

Thursday, 19 February 2009

Lives of sports fans are being put a risk by ongoing government delays to improve safety standards at grounds in Northern Ireland, MLAs claimed today.

A tragedy is looming if bureaucracy and red tape continue to get in the way of vital maintenance work at dilapidated venues, according to members of Stormont's sports committee.

They reacted angrily to the revelation that while £25 million is needed to bring all grounds in the region up to standard, this year £1 million earmarked for such improvements was returned to the Finance department because of a failure to allocate it properly.

The incident was raised during a briefing from Sport NI and Culture, Arts and Leisure Department officials that also highlighted a list of safety concerns at 15 facilities that have applied for funding this year.

Potential hazards identified by Sport NI inspectors included:

A wall inside Crusaders FC Seaview ground in north Belfast that has been served with a 'dangerous structures notice'

Crush barriers at Ravenhill rugby ground in east Belfast that do not comply with recognised safety guidance.

Fire protection measures inside the main grandstand at the GAA's Casement Park in west Belfast that 'fall well short' of recognised standards.

The report does not include Windsor Park, where major safety concerns have already cast doubt on the viability of holding international football games at the south Belfast venue.

SDLP committee member Pat Ramsey (Foyle) said unnecessary official procedures and processes were slowing up work that needed to be done as a matter of urgency.

"I do fear that we are eventually going to have lives lost," he said.

"I am saying that not as an overstatement or scaremongering but as a fact."

He added: "Where does this process end, does it end the day somebody dies?"

Sport NI, which manages the funding applications on behalf of DCAL, has been allocated around £7 million for improvements this year. It has made a bid for an additional £10 to undertake more projects.

However, Paul Scott from the organisation conceded it would take between £20 to £25 million to address all the current outstanding safety issues.

"We know that the state of our venues, from our various inspections, that considerable investment is needed to bring them up to standard," he told members.

DUP members Nelson McCausland (North Belfast) and Jim Shannon (Strangford) both asked whether money allocated for the ill-fated Maze stadium could be redirected to safety improvements at other grounds.

Their party colleague Lord Browne (East Belfast) said he was shocked by the state of the facilities local sports fans were having to experience.

"By any standard the current condition of our sports grounds leaves a lot to be desired," he said.

"It is only a matter of time before a serious incident happens."

Commenting on the £1 million under-spend this year, Sinn Fein's Francie Brolly (East Derry) said that Assembly fast-track processes reserved for emergency situations should be triggered to avoid a repeat in the future.

Committee vice chair David McNarry (Ulster Unionist, Strangford) said he did not feel wholly confident recommending certain venues to supporters.

"You need to give us the peace of mind to tell our constituents that they are safe when they go to their sports grounds," he said.

DCAL officials are currently drawing up legislation that will require sports grounds in Northern Ireland above a certain capacity to gain a safety certificate to allow them to operate. This system is expected to be introduced later this year.

They are also working with the NIO to develop complimentary public order laws that would give police and stewards more power to tackle crowd trouble such as sectarian chanting and pitch invasions.

A spokesman for Crusaders FC said they had initially applied for funding over two years ago.

He acknowledged the wall identified by inspectors needed replaced - and would be with a new stand - but said the structure posed no immediate threat to the public.

"In the short term it is safe but it does need replaced," he said.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/sports-fans-lives-are-at-risk-in-unsafe-northern-ireland-venues-claim-mlas-14196158.html

I can believe this one about Casement. Wouldn't mind seeing the full report for GAA grounds.

[Lazer]

What would be the tax implications of one the games being held in the North? think that could have been part of the reasoning for casement not getting it!

There is a higher tax on gate receipts from the North.

Which is also why - no matter what standard Casement is redevolped to, or any new stadium (such as the one that was proposed to be built at the maze), will never or rarely be used for a ulster final

Also explains why the ulster council are keen to move other matches between the 6 counties to Clones, whenever they can get away it

[NAG]

Lazer

Thank you for picking up my point, one of our countries biggest urban areas that desperately needs to be given an injection of life. Some sort of good publicity that a game like the IR would bring to the city, but this has been scuppered by the short sightedness of having to pay a few quid in tax. How much would the marketing value of such an event cost? or the interest generated in the schools all across the city?

GAA have missed a trick here big time, but sure its only Belfast and Antrim sure they will be ok!

[Zapatista]

GAA have missed a trick here big time, but sure its only Belfast and Antrim sure they will be ok!

Yeah, Casement should get the Shinnty/Hurling game.

[NAG]

I would let Nolan Park keep the Shinty Match after the spectacle that is was last year!

[dublinfella]

There is a higher tax on gate receipts from the North.

Almost there - there is no VAT on match/concert/cinema tickets in the 26 counties, there is in the 6.

Why do you think Clones stadium holds 5 times the population of the town?

[armaghniac]

Why do you think Clones stadium holds 5 times the population of the town?

That's easy. It was an important railway junction where the RUC couldn't harass you.

but this has been scuppered by the short sightedness of having to pay a few quid in tax.

No doubt the good people of Belfast would be happy to pay a higher admission charge to allow for the tax and the smaller capacity of the stadium.

[Zulu]

Lazer

Thank you for picking up my point, one of our countries biggest urban areas that desperately needs to be given an injection of life. Some sort of good publicity that a game like the IR would bring to the city, but this has been scuppered by the short sightedness of having to pay a few quid in tax. How much would the marketing value of such an event cost? or the interest generated in the schools all across the city?

GAA have missed a trick here big time, but sure its only Belfast and Antrim sure they will be ok!

In fairness the GG have just as strong a case as Casement any any grounds you care to mention and as much need for this game as Belfast, so I think the GAA made a sound decision here, though I'd have had no complaints had the picked Casement  either.

[stiffler]

There is a higher tax on gate receipts from the North.

Almost there - there is no VAT on match/concert/cinema tickets in the 26 counties, there is in the 6.

Why do you think Clones stadium holds 5 times the population of the town?

A price hike of 15% would not deter people in ulster staying away.

Theres no doubt that Casement would have been sold out if the IR had been held there this year.

[armaghniac]

This probably deserves a thread of its own, but with the Maze stadium dead in the water, Gregory will be giving loads of lovely loot to Windsor Park to make it decent and other OWC venues too. He will probably have to give Rugby and the GAA something to be respectable. Do we see Casement getting an upgrade and maybe other GAA grounds, then Casement might be pole position for an Intl in 4 years time or so.

[Minder]

I think the report yesterday showing certain grounds, Casement included, in ill repair is in their best interests. By highlighting Casements problems it means they will be at the front of the queue with a strong case the next time funding appears.

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

Pity for Casement but they'll have a good chance next time. Would be in favour of rotating the first test around Ulster, Munster and Connacht with Ulster getting it next.

[fred the red]

I seen a report in the GL last week about a new state of the art state to be built at Armagh.


If this is the case, surely this would put the stadium up there as the best in the 6 counties?

[Zapatista]

I seen a report in the GL last week about a new state of the art state to be built at Armagh.

Is it based along the lines of a utopia as seen in Free Derry?

[ddc1990]

Are ye all serious, coming up with paranoid reasons for why Casement didn't get the game!
Here's why,
1) Too small, Limerick holds around 20,000 more
2) Travel times from the south. Croker is only 2 hours from the North (at most)... Its 4 hours from Kerry, Therefor it makes sense to have a game accesible for us in the south.
3) The norths objection to the rules really hasn't stood well for them. (A La Mickey Harte)