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Plans for £300m Maze stadium axed

  • 28-01-2009 7:41pm
    #1
    redout
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,435 ✭✭✭✭


    Wed 28 Jan, 06:15 PM



    Plans for a new £300million international sports stadium for Northern Ireland were finally axed on Wednesday.Sports Minister Gregory Campbell ended lingering hopes that the site of the former Maze Prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim, could be turned into a showpiece arena to be ready in time for the 2012 London Olympics.

    The three main sporting organisations in Northern Ireland - the Irish Football Association (IFA), the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and rugby's Ulster branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) - backed the controversial scheme.

    But with many unionists and soccer fans bitterly opposed to the development, Mr Campbell decided to formally abandon the project, claiming it would not represent value for money and would cause community divisions.

    The minister plans to explore other options involving major investment in upgrading existing facilities, including Windsor Park, Belfast, where Northern Ireland play all their home soccer games.

    Officials have already warned that matches might have to be switched to the UK unless significant improvements are made at Windsor Park.
    But the decision to scrap the Maze stadium project will be a massive blow, according to a former Olympic pole vaulter.

    Mike Bull, now a sports coach from Bangor, Co Down, said: "I think it is a sad reflection on our sporting ethos. In our community we have had great sportsmen through the decades. Our teams are doing very well."
    Many towns in countries such as France or Spain have similar stadiums yet Northern Ireland, he said, would still have none.
    He added: "It seems a shame that we don't have one for the entire province. If you had a national centre, it would be a jumping platform to motivate other sports people."

    The proposed development has divided political and sporting opinion.
    In his paper to be considered by the ministerial Executive on Thursday, Mr Campbell said there would be a loss to the economy of between £156million and £193million which would not compensate for the non-monetary benefits which may flow from a shared centre.
    He intends to help the three sports develop solutions. This could include upgrading existing stadia or building a new venue, possibly somewhere in the greater Belfast area.

    Officials will work with Linfield Football Club and the Irish Football Association (IFA) on a limited remedial programme at its Windsor Park ground so international football can be played there in the interim.
    There are separate plans at the Maze for an entertainment complex which could host conferences or concerts, housing, a conflict resolution centre and a Troubles museum, which some unionists branded a shrine to terrorism.

    There are also plans to build Northern Ireland's first Olympic-sized swimming pool at Bangor.

    Gary McAllister, from the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs, said the minister's decision was the correct one.
    He said: "The majority of Northern Ireland fans will welcome the decision not to proceed with the Maze proposals.

    "We have had a number of concerns about the proposed development and we are pleased that many of our arguments have been found to be right. "This isn't the end of the process, this is the beginning of a new process. It is important that promises are made good in terms of the interests of football."


    http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/28012009/1/plans-300m-maze-stadium-axed.html


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