Somewhere in our future

IF the construction of sporting stadia were the barometer of economic well-being instead of housing, you would be forgiven for thinking the world is in a golden age of uncharted prosperity.

For all the gloom and doom forecast in the property market in Ireland, the United States and elsewhere, there is just as much excitement at construction projects for first-class sporting facilities in all corners of the planet.

From Barcelona to Boston, Durban to Dubai and Stanley Park to Eden Park, barely a day seems to go by without a government, state, city or sports team announcing plans to build a new stadium or expand an existing one.