Alternative site for NI stadium kicked into touch

The British government tonight kicked into touch all hopes of the North’s new national sports stadium being moved to Belfast.

Late bids to take it away from the site of the former Maze Prison near Lisburn, Co Antrim have been rejected.

Sports Minister David Hanson said: “We have looked at the Maze/Long Kesh site in detail.

“We have given it some economic assessment and really it is the only site that we are able to consider.

“We have looked at other sites in Belfast and we have ruled those out.

“At this late stage any new entry is not likely to find favour with the (British) government at all.”

The 42,500-seater multi-sports development has been earmarked to host football matches during the 2012 Olympics.

But Belfast Chamber of Trade and a sports consortium announced separate details today of proposals for two alternative sites in the city, at Ormeau Park or Maysfield.

Both teams claimed such a move would play a significant role in the regeneration of the city and be more popular with the public than the £55m (€80.1m) Maze project.

Dave Pennick, vice president of Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: “This is far too important an issue to be left to the Northern Ireland Office.

“A national stadium needs to be in the urban area not outside it.

“Those that are perform significantly better.”

Mr Pennick said research has shown the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff generates £14m (€20.5m) for the local economy on the weekend of a major event.

The Chamber of Trade team plan to hold talks with the Strategic Investment Board and have called for a public debate on the new stadium.

Mr Pennick also hopes to be able to present plans for the 30,000-seater development to NIO ministers in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Durnien.com is behind plans for a City of Belfast Stadium at Ormeau Park and has enlisted the expertise of several companies, including one which worked on Old Trafford in Manchester and Hampden in Glasgow.

The company’s managing director, Paul Durnien, said: “It is a national facility with local access for all.

“New pedestrian routes will be opened up to give all communities direct access to the stadium and its many facilities.

“The easy access to city hotels for visiting teams, supporters and travelling teams, along with the numerous bars, restaurants and retail outlets within easy walking distance from the stadium, will bring large-scale economic activity in the city centre and routes to and from the stadium.”

On the strength of the plans, he said: “The majority of Premier and Championship stadiums are located within an urban environment.

“It makes social and economic sense and has proven time and time again to be a catalyst for urban regeneration.

“It will address the poor training facilities, showcase sport as a recognisable industry and, most importantly, be open and ready ‘in time’ to allow coaches to identify and nurture Northern Ireland’s talent for 2012.”