Long Kesh Park takes another step forward

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

There are no details other than the possibility of a new football stadium at the Blanchflower site. If that site adds up (and I've no idea whether it does or not) then why would it have any problem getting funding?

Well obviously we need to see the details but if this is a replacement for the Maze proposals which were to require Executive approval than surely the replacement would also require Executive approval. I assume approval would not be forthcoming from the SDLP and SF for a proposal which would not facilitate the GAA.

Obviously if the IFA and Ulster Rugby were to put forward their own hard cash for such a development, they should receive any part funding for which they apply and are eligible for from the government but any proposal which is to be wholly or almost wholly paid for by the tax payer should facilitate all 3 sports. Simple really.

[SammyG]

There are no details other than the possibility of a new football stadium at the Blanchflower site. If that site adds up (and I've no idea whether it does or not) then why would it have any problem getting funding?

Well obviously we need to see the details but if this is a replacement for the Maze proposals which were to require Executive approval than surely the replacement would also require Executive approval. I assume approval would not be forthcoming from the SDLP and SF for a proposal which would not facilitate the GAA.

Obviously if the IFA and Ulster Rugby were to put forward their own hard cash for such a development, they should receive any part funding for which they apply and are eligible for from the government but any proposal which is to be wholly or almost wholly paid for by the tax payer should facilitate all 3 sports. Simple really.

Very bizarre logic, given that millions of pounds of taxpayers money have already been spent on stadia that are only used by one sport, why would this stadium suddenly need to be usable by all three?? There is no mention of replacing the Maze, the Maze is dead because the sums don't add up.

You seem to be mixing up the remit of the Maze advisory panel (which specificially had to include all 3 sports) and the general rules for sports funding.

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

Very bizarre logic, given that millions of pounds of taxpayers money have already been spent on stadia that are only used by one sport, why would this stadium suddenly need to be usable by all three??

What stadia have been 100% funded by government on the same basis as the Maze was proposed to be?

IF (and we don't know yet) a proposal like this is to be wholly funded by government then it should incorporate all sports in a mutually acceptable location.

Alternatively al 3 sports should be given a similar sum to develop their own stadia.

To give a huge handout to one major stadia for 2 sports while ignoring the GAA should not be an acceptable position.

[SammyG]

Very bizarre logic, given that millions of pounds of taxpayers money have already been spent on stadia that are only used by one sport, why would this stadium suddenly need to be usable by all three??

What stadia have been 100% funded by government on the same basis as the Maze was proposed to be?

IF (and we don't know yet) a proposal like this is to be wholly funded by government then it should incorporate all sports in a mutually acceptable location.

Why? and who decides what is 'mutually acceptable'?

Alternatively al 3 sports should be given a similar sum to develop their own stadia.

I'd be amazed if that isn't the outcome, it's the only sensible answer and has been for a long time.

To give a huge handout to one major stadia for 2 sports while ignoring the GAA should not be an acceptable position.

Agreed but nobody is suggesting that.

[Main Street]

The Assembly commissioned a PWC report, they looked at 3 different situations and reported on a Belfast stadium location.
"Hypothetically such an option would generate high visitor spending benefits because it is located closer to the city centre, but these are outweighed by the capital and infrastructure costs and the higher value of this site,"

Has there been a re-evaluation of PWC´s report? I don´t think so.

[SammyG]

The Assembly commissioned a PWC report, they looked at 3 different situations and reported on a Belfast stadium location.
"Hypothetically such an option would generate high visitor spending benefits because it is located closer to the city centre, but these are outweighed by the capital and infrastructure costs and the higher value of this site,"

Has there been a re-evaluation of PWC´s report? I don´t think so.

PWCs report has been rubbished by anybody that's taken the time to read it. The figures, that they use to justify the Maze, only add up if there are 23 events per year at over £100 per ticket. Even the Maze cheerleaders at UTV, showed that the PWC figures were nonsense.

[Main Street]

I was referring to PWC cost estimations for a Belfast stadium but
as there are no plans to build a multi sport stadium in Belfast the hypothetical cost figures are a moot point.

[Maguire01]

Forget the Maze, hand each sporting body a cut of the funding that would have been set aside for the Maze and let each develop their own stadia.

[Maguire01]

Forget the Maze, hand each sporting body a cut of the funding that would have been set aside for the Maze and let each develop their own stadia.

Exactly, the GAA can use the money to bump Clones(i would prefer to say Casement but i don't think there's much scope for expansion there) up another 10000-15000 so we don't have to head to Dublin for Ulster finals anymore. And the IFA and the Ulster Branch can pool their share together and built a nice wee 20000-25000 stadium in whatever part of east Belfast they want. The GAA have nothing to gain out of this 'national' stadium project as the proposed capacity means that it is not going to better what we already have, we should just take the money and use it as we see fit.

One problem there.... DCAL are hardly going to hand over millions to develop a stadium in Monaghan!  It could be used to improve a number of GAA stadia:  Casement, Athletic Grounds, Healy Park, Pairc Elser, Brewster, Celtic Park - all of them could be improved, despite recent work in some.

[Donagh]

The Assembly commissioned a PWC report, they looked at 3 different situations and reported on a Belfast stadium location.
"Hypothetically such an option would generate high visitor spending benefits because it is located closer to the city centre, but these are outweighed by the capital and infrastructure costs and the higher value of this site,"

Has there been a re-evaluation of PWC´s report? I don´t think so.

PWCs report has been rubbished by anybody that's taken the time to read it. The figures, that they use to justify the Maze, only add up if there are 23 events per year at over £100 per ticket. Even the Maze cheerleaders at UTV, showed that the PWC figures were nonsense.

Croke Park made E30 million profit last year on a similar number of fixtures but I didn't notice the E130 tickets.

[SammyG]

The Assembly commissioned a PWC report, they looked at 3 different situations and reported on a Belfast stadium location.
"Hypothetically such an option would generate high visitor spending benefits because it is located closer to the city centre, but these are outweighed by the capital and infrastructure costs and the higher value of this site,"

Has there been a re-evaluation of PWC´s report? I don´t think so.

PWCs report has been rubbished by anybody that's taken the time to read it. The figures, that they use to justify the Maze, only add up if there are 23 events per year at over £100 per ticket. Even the Maze cheerleaders at UTV, showed that the PWC figures were nonsense.

Croke Park made E30 million profit last year on a similar number of fixtures but I didn't notice the E130 tickets.

Excellent, well done. NOt sure what it has to do with this discussion but thanks for letting us know. 

[Donagh]

Excellent, well done. NOt sure what it has to do with this discussion but thanks for letting us know. 

It means you're talking shite again as ticket prices aren't the only possible source of income.

It's very amusing to watch the reaction to the proposed DB over on OWC. It doesn't matter anymore that it's not within walking distance of the city centre or that there are no pubs of restaurants nearby, so long as there's no Fenians about they're all happy. Just confirms what we all knew in the first place.

[SammyG]

Excellent, well done. NOt sure what it has to do with this discussion but thanks for letting us know. 

It means you're talking shite again as ticket prices aren't the only possible source of income.

Sorry I was quoting the PWC figures, not giving my opinion, so you must mean that PWC are talking shite.

It's very amusing to watch the reaction to the proposed DB over on OWC. It doesn't matter anymore that it's not within walking distance of the city centre or that there are no pubs of restaurants nearby, so long as there's no Fenians about they're all happy. Just confirms what we all knew in the first place.

Err you obviously need your glasses checked. I few people have said it might work and most have said they need more detail. No mention of 'Fenians' at all, especially as there will be plenty of 'Fenians' wherever NI play (as there always have been and always will be)

[Donagh]

Excellent, well done. NOt sure what it has to do with this discussion but thanks for letting us know. 


Err you obviously need your glasses checked. I few people have said it might work and most have said they need more detail. No mention of 'Fenians' at all, especially as there will be plenty of 'Fenians' wherever NI play (as there always have been and always will be)

Go on then show us all where the PWC report said there would be £100 tickets.

Aye dead on Sammy.

[SammyG]

Excellent, well done. NOt sure what it has to do with this discussion but thanks for letting us know. 


Err you obviously need your glasses checked. I few people have said it might work and most have said they need more detail. No mention of 'Fenians' at all, especially as there will be plenty of 'Fenians' wherever NI play (as there always have been and always will be)

Go on then show us all where the PWC report said there would be £100 tickets.

Aye dead on Sammy.

In order to make the Maze 'cheaper' than the various Belfast sites, the PWC report said the Maze would gerenate £207 million in ticket revenue, over the first four years and that this was based on 23 events generating 469000 spectators per year. 469000 per year for four years is 1876000. £207 million divided by 1876000 spectators = £110.34 per ticket.

Full report is at http://www.dcalni.gov.uk/proposed_multi_sports_stadium_for_northern_ireland_-_business_case_-_final_report_november_2007.pdf if you're interested.