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25/06/2008
NI Squad Will Suffer From Stadium Indecision, Says Stormont Paper
The Stormont Government's indecisiveness over the location for a national stadium for Northern Ireland could force the NI soccer side to play matches outside the Province.
According to documents - obtained from the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister - the Celtic Cup could be jeopardised as a result of the devolved Executive's hesitancy to make a firm decision on the way forward.
The official papers have suggested that the Northern Ireland squad may have to play home games outside of the Province during the 2011 tournament, which also includes teams from Wales and Scotland.
The national stadium debate has hampered the tournament so much that the normal rotation of host nations has been thrown into question, as currently Northern Ireland could not stage such an event without a suitable venue.
Failing an adequate stadium being in place for the games, Northern Ireland fans could be travelling to Cardiff or Glasgow to see their team play a home game.
The leaked document has also revealed that plans to separate the proposed multi-purpose element of a stadium could mean the GAA would receive another funding arrangement, to construct an additional site.
This could result in two competing stadiums in the Province, vying for spectators.
Yesterday, Stormont Ministers were warned up to 10,000 jobs could be axed if plans for a Maze site are rejected.
All three sports' representative bodies have now backed plans for a Lisburn-based stadium.
However, the Maze stadium proposal has faced strong objection from Unionists, partly because some fear a national landmark on the site would become a "shrine" for fallen republicans, but officially because of very high projected costs.
See: Poots Backs Maze - And Rubbish Civil Servant's Input To Plan
(PR/JM)(BMcC)
According to documents - obtained from the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister - the Celtic Cup could be jeopardised as a result of the devolved Executive's hesitancy to make a firm decision on the way forward.
The official papers have suggested that the Northern Ireland squad may have to play home games outside of the Province during the 2011 tournament, which also includes teams from Wales and Scotland.
The national stadium debate has hampered the tournament so much that the normal rotation of host nations has been thrown into question, as currently Northern Ireland could not stage such an event without a suitable venue.
Failing an adequate stadium being in place for the games, Northern Ireland fans could be travelling to Cardiff or Glasgow to see their team play a home game.
The leaked document has also revealed that plans to separate the proposed multi-purpose element of a stadium could mean the GAA would receive another funding arrangement, to construct an additional site.
This could result in two competing stadiums in the Province, vying for spectators.
Yesterday, Stormont Ministers were warned up to 10,000 jobs could be axed if plans for a Maze site are rejected.
All three sports' representative bodies have now backed plans for a Lisburn-based stadium.
However, the Maze stadium proposal has faced strong objection from Unionists, partly because some fear a national landmark on the site would become a "shrine" for fallen republicans, but officially because of very high projected costs.
See: Poots Backs Maze - And Rubbish Civil Servant's Input To Plan
(PR/JM)(BMcC)
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13 June 2008
Maze Stadium Plan 'A Winner' Says Former Minister
Locating Northern Ireland's national stadium at the former Maze prison site is the only worthy option - according to a former NI Executive Minister. Edwin Poots, speaking for the first time since being replaced as Arts and Culture Minister, does not believe he had lost his job because of his support for the controversial Maze stadium project.
Maze Stadium Plan 'A Winner' Says Former Minister
Locating Northern Ireland's national stadium at the former Maze prison site is the only worthy option - according to a former NI Executive Minister. Edwin Poots, speaking for the first time since being replaced as Arts and Culture Minister, does not believe he had lost his job because of his support for the controversial Maze stadium project.
23 February 2005
National NI stadium a step closer to reality
A cross-party body set up to look into the feasibility of a National sports stadium for Northern Ireland has agreed on a plan to have the £55 million project built on the old Maze Prison site in Co Antrim.
National NI stadium a step closer to reality
A cross-party body set up to look into the feasibility of a National sports stadium for Northern Ireland has agreed on a plan to have the £55 million project built on the old Maze Prison site in Co Antrim.
19 May 2008
RUAS Eyes-Up Maze For 'Balmoral' Show
Last week's highly successful Royal Ulster Agricultural Society 'Balmoral Show' may have been the last to be held at the historic south Belfast location.
RUAS Eyes-Up Maze For 'Balmoral' Show
Last week's highly successful Royal Ulster Agricultural Society 'Balmoral Show' may have been the last to be held at the historic south Belfast location.
05 June 2006
Belfast launches drive for sports stadium
Belfast City Council are today to launch a new drive to have Northern Ireland's national sports stadium built in Belfast. This comes a week after the government's proposal for the development of the 42,000-seater stadium on the former Maze Prison site near Lisburn were officially launched.
Belfast launches drive for sports stadium
Belfast City Council are today to launch a new drive to have Northern Ireland's national sports stadium built in Belfast. This comes a week after the government's proposal for the development of the 42,000-seater stadium on the former Maze Prison site near Lisburn were officially launched.
31 March 2005
Government plumps for Maze as site for national stadium
The site of a new Northern Ireland multi-sports stadium can only be housed at the former Maze prison site in Co Antrim, the Government has said. Finance Minister Ian Pearson said on Wednesday that he intends to put the design of the 365-acre site out to tender after sites at Titanic Quarter and the North Foreshore of Belfast Lough were rejected.
Government plumps for Maze as site for national stadium
The site of a new Northern Ireland multi-sports stadium can only be housed at the former Maze prison site in Co Antrim, the Government has said. Finance Minister Ian Pearson said on Wednesday that he intends to put the design of the 365-acre site out to tender after sites at Titanic Quarter and the North Foreshore of Belfast Lough were rejected.
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