Go ahead unlikely for stadium at Maze site

Plans for a £240m (€313m) multi-sports stadium project at the site of the former Maze prison is unlikely to get government go ahead, it emerged today.

The Northern Ireland Assembly is set to scrap the proposals for the 38,000 seater arena for rugby, football and gaelic games at the Long Kesh site on the outskirts of Lisburn.

Senior sources within Stormont’s largest party, the Democratic Unionists, have indicated that concerns about the financial feasibility of the project are likely to see it rejected.

One source said: “As the business case is unlikely to stack up it is unlikely that the Maze stadium will go ahead.”

While the DUP is citing economic factors, the controversial proposal for a Conflict Transformation Centre in restored prison buildings on the same site is also an issue of real concern for unionists, many of whom claim it could become a shrine to terrorism.

DUP Finance minister Peter Robinson is currently reviewing the business case for the stadium project and will give his official recommendation to the Executive in the coming weeks.

The predicted rejection of the Maze site has increased the likelihood of an alternative development in Belfast.

It is understood a site in the east of the city, at the present Danny Blanchflower sports complex, is now being seriously considered.

The source added: “The DUP is still keen on a sports facility for Northern Ireland and will consider the possibility of a venue at the Danny Blanchflower site.

“However the party has taken no firm decisions on any of these issues.”

The GAA, which along with the Irish Football Association and Ulster Rugby has signed up to the Maze development, is highly unlikely to use any facility at the Blanchflower site.

The GAA already owns Casement Park in the west of the city and has expressed concerns that other suggested sites in Belfast would not be suitable.

It is understood a 25,000 seater stadium at Blanchflower Park would also become the new home of Irish League side Glentoran, which is actively seeking a move away from its nearby Oval ground.

Last month Sports minister Edwin Poots, who has been a strong backer of the Maze project, presented the PriceWaterhouseCooper business case to his party colleague Mr Robinson.

The independent consultants recommended that the Executive press ahead with the development on the outskirts of Lisburn. They estimated that when associated infrastructure improvement costs were considered the project could cost as much as £240m (€313m).

The Finance minister, who had ring fenced just £70m (€91m) for a stadium development in his spending plan for the next three years, is understood to have serious concerns about the growing costs of the development.