NORTHERN IRELAND - Stadium and Arena Development News

[NeilF]

On this picture, Titanic Quarter is being built on the phallic piece of land between the River Lagan and Musgrave Channel, and comes right the way down to the Abercorn Basin, which is the part, if you crane your neck, sorta looks like a T-Rex head jutting in off the river; this leaves the piece of land framed by the Sydenham Bypass and the southern edge of Victora Park for a potential stadium.

Sadly, since Tesco didn't arrive all that long ago in Belfast, it has never really faced any planning problems. No major retailer has, to be honest. That said, I don't think there would be a Tesco as central as this piece of land, or even usable land as central as this, so there is the distinct possibility. I'd like to hope some sort of stadium does get built on this site. Titanic Quarter seems to be the first thing in quite some time that Belfast City planners have ever managed to do well, or at least, plan well and with the land available and sports in dire need of a quality stadium in the city, it would feel like a massive, wasted opportunity for something not to happen.

[EADGBE]

Also, there would be the opportunity to share parking facilities then with the Odyssey and neighbouring leisure complex.

When you first mentioned this, I nearly said "you mean by the City Airport?", but I didn't know how far east you meant - and my memory of the area isn't wholly reliable. Looking at this, I now wonder if (irony of ironies) there would be a concern about the potential for terrorism (Islamist, not home-grown) by siting a stadium essentially at the end of a runway.

I know Twickenham has special plans in this regard, due to it being right under the flight path from Heathrow.

[G.C.]

Dont worry, the RA, UVF and UDA will be working on air and land defence measures if its built, and at least we can throw petrol bombs

[NeilF]

Originally Posted by EADGBE

Also, there would be the opportunity to share parking facilities then with the Odyssey and neighbouring leisure complex.

Exactly; with parking facilities, supposedly at least, in place for crowds of about 9,000 - 10,000, and available land to increase this, not to mention good road and train access in place, and within walking distance of the city centre, it seems an ideal site in terms of access and transport.

I'm not too sure about the terrorism thing; I mean, now that it's been brought up, I can see the worry but I think, by extension, they are also in the process of building one of the largest waterfront regenerations in Europe (which is no mean feat, given what's going on in Clydeside in (just outside of, if you're a Clydesider) Glasgow), which is also at the end of the same runway. I can't imagine that such a project is being built without any contingency planning for such a thing and I'd imagine the same sort of work would also have to go into any stadium built on the site. I'd imagine any stadium would now have to be built with such plans, but perhaps to a greater degree, given the location we're talking about. What exactly that would be, I have no idea. Surface to air molatovs perhaps

[G.C.]

Originally Posted by NeilF

What exactly that would be, I have no idea. Surface to air molatovs perhaps

A massive wan of these that launches glass barrels of petrol and sugar


But serierously, if there was an islamic attack here then the backlash would be severe. Total "get the f*ck out in six hours or we'll burn you out" severe.

[EADGBE]

Originally Posted by G.C.

A massive wan of these that launches glass barrels of petrol and sugar


But serierously, if there was an islamic attack here then the backlash would be severe. Total "get the f*ck out in six hours or we'll burn you out" severe.

There certainly is that.

I did nearly type that myself when I first mentioned the terrorism thing but thought better of it. I often do the same thing when I'm catching up with mate from Belfast. It's okay to agree if he says it but it's perhaps a little tactless if I say it first.

Taking your point to its logical conclusion and with tongue firmly in cheek, does that mean after once laying claim to have 'the most bombed hotel in Europe', that Belfast is now one of the safest places in the UK (for that kind of thing)?

[NeilF]

Well, while on one of my ridiculous fits of boredom, while staying with my parents on one of the smaller, more remote and less populated Scottish islands, I decided to buy and read The Sun, having gone through The Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian and The Independent. In the immortal words of one letter to the editor that will both amuse and haunt me, in equal measure, for the rest of my life; "Now that the IRA are on our side, shouldn't the government be attempting to use their expertise in order to defeat Islamic terror?" What I take from that is that Northern Ireland is now the terrorism equivalent of one of those BBC shows where ex-cons show people how not to get conned.

[EADGBE]

Originally Posted by NeilF

What I take from that is that Northern Ireland is now the terrorism equivalent of one of those BBC shows where ex-cons show people how not to get conned.

PMSL!!

[G.C.]

I'm not being ignorant or nowt, but most people in Northern Ireland have no time or tollerance for immigrants, which is possibly why there are no pro Islamic parades in our town and cities. After what almost happened in Glasgow I expected there to be attacks on the community of which Sinjed Maheed and Maheeds A'roastin came from, but there has been nothing.

[NeilF]

The one that's been doing the rounds in Edinburgh was Sinjed Mijeep.

[EADGBE]

I've only just come across this on bbc.co.uk (from 24th July). Looks like it's going to run and run (surprise, surprise)


GAA 'rules out city stadium plan'

The GAA would not agree to a proposed multi-sports stadium being built in Belfast, Sports Minister Edwin Poots has said.

Mr Poots said the GAA had ruled out proposed stadia on both the Belfast North Foreshore site and the Titanic Quarter.

Gaelic sports, soccer and rugby would be played at any future stadium.

Plans have been drawn up for a 35,000-seater facility at the Maze site, near Lisburn in County Antrim.

Mr Poots said the Irish Football Association was open to various sites, but its chief executive, Howard Wells, had a personal preference for the Maze, which is a former prison.

The minister told the assembly's culture committee that rugby authorities favoured a Belfast site.

Assembly members interrupted their summer recess to address the controversial matter.

Mr Poots told the committee that consultants had begun work on a final business plan.

This would focus on a number of options including an economic appraisal of the Maze proposal, the "virtual Belfast" option and a cost analysis of refurbishing existing sporting venues.

Ulster Unionist committee vice chairman David McNarry asked the minister what impact unionist indignation would have on his decision on whether to take forward the Maze stadium plan.

Mr Poots said that while the issue of the conflict transformation centre was a matter for another department, "ultimately no unionist will accept any proposal which will be a glorification of terrorism".

He said cross-community consensus was essential.

[NeilF]

I think it will. Ulster Rugby have recently said that they favour a stadium in Belfast, which comes as no great surprise. What is, perhaps, more telling about the expected outcome and time frame is that Ulster Rugby are planning, in the very near future, to begin upgrading Ravenhill and the GAA have announcted another multi-million revamp of Casement Park. At this point, I think the worry is more about the excess that will be, privately, spent on stadium upgrades that shouldn't be needed than anything else.

[CharlieP]

Do you have any details on the Ravenhill upgrading?

[NeilF]

The original plan from 2005:



An ambitious £5 million refurbishment plan for the Ravenhill Grounds has been approved by the Executive Committee of the Ulster Branch...
Phase 1 and 2 of the plans will revolve around the construction of a new stand behind the existing terrace and the building of a stand at the car-park end of the ground.

Feedback from supporters said that they would like a roof for the terrace and so in Phase 1 of the development the whole terrace will be covered and the stand, built at the back of the exisiting terrace, would accommodate around 600 perople

Future plans, phases 3 and 4 which will be dependent on the success of the first two phases, would involve the replacement of the existing stand and the construction of another at the Aquinas end of the ground.

While the plans have been rubber-stamped by the Ulster Branch Executive Committee they are still subject to planning permission - however, if no major planning issues arise it would be hoped that the first phase of the refurbishment would be complete by January 2007.

The redevelopment, when complete, will significantly increase income generation, vital for the funding of the game at both grassroots and professional levels.

Ulster Rugby is still committed to the government's plan for a multi-sport stadium but must develop Ravenhill to increase revenue and improve player and supporter facilities in the mean-time.

Ulster Rugby Chief Executive Michael Reid said "In the short term we need to generate income prior to a multi-sport national stadium being built and secondly we need to maintain our home for rugby football in Ulster, which is Ravenhill".

Ulster Rugby hope to secure up to £1.6 million from the government's new safe sportsground scheme and will raise the rest from commercial activity - the key to success will be the support of the public and the business community.

As far as I am aware, the plans have changed little since then, beyond timing. Apparently, the stand at the Aquinas end of the ground (south-west facing) is unlikely to be built. This is both based on a perceived lack of money and because of poor access to that end of the ground. Similiarly, the upgrade of the current grandstand is being held back, based on money issues.

So, what we really have is:

The current plans are, in essence, the same general plans as those previously announced in 2005. The original planning permission was lodged in October 2005. Since then, a Traffic Impact Survey has been undertaken and should have been completed in May 2006. However, there have been registered concerns by locals; traffic problems, sale of alcohol and so forth. About 16 months ago, the plans were as below. In an interview given by Ulster Branch CEO, Michael Reid on 30th March 2007, it appears these are still very close to being the plans:

"Detailed planning and tendering will take about 6 months (to Nov 06) after which work can commence on phases 1 (Terrace) & 2 (Carpark). Work on these should be complete in about 10 months (By Autumn 07)" - Obviously, these are now invalid.

So, what, essentially, will happen is that the terrance will be reduced in height, and apparently, the slope altered for health and safety. This will leave a covered terrace for 4,7000 people and 4 rows of seating for 600 people. Above this seating will be a members' lounge, restaurant, corporate boxes and a TV gantry. There will be toilet facilities to the rear of the new structure.

The newly built stand at the carpark end will have a standing promenade for 1000 people and a seated area for a further 1000. This new stand will contain new changing rooms and a bar that opens to the real. The bar will be covered, but open on three sides. There is then a plan to rebuild the current promenade and grandstand, but this is not yet at the planning stage and will only be considered if the rebuilding of the terrace and the new stand at the Car Park end are successful. Development of the Aquinas End is not being considered at present.

Overall, following completion of the current plans, we would expect:

- Capacity will remain the same, overall.

- The standing room on the terrace will be decreased by about 30%.

- There will be a new stand built at the carpark end.

In terms of when this will happen all depends on when full planning goaheads are given. Because of the obvious damages to capacity, building must be coordinated with the playing season. Each time new objections are raised by local residents, the timing gets pushed back. If it gets pushed beyond a certain date (precise details of which I'm not sure), a full year will be lost. As certain objections are ongoing, this means that work cannot start until the end of this coming (2007 - 2008) season.

[CharlieP]

Thanks - very interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing Ravenhill packed out for the Italy friendly in a couple of weeks...

[G.C.]

Demolition of the 'Cage' started in early November, making way for a new 1000 seater sand.

[NeilF]

Bloody hell - the last time I was at Solitude, an eagle-eyed Glentoran fan pointed out the the grass needed cutting. On the roof of the main stand... Seriously, though, it's nice to see that stadium redevelopment in the Irish League is finally moving along. I see that Crusaders also have plans for a new stadium and Glentoran are currently looking for a site for a new stadium, having sold The Oval to a redevelopment company a few years back.

How the cage used to look:



Other images of Solitude:

[G.C.]

Originally Posted by NeilF

Bloody hell - the last time I was at Solitude, an eagle-eyed Glentoran fan pointed out the the grass needed cutting. On the roof of the main stand...

That patch of grass has now became a tree

Portadown have also started work on their ground. I'll stick the images up when I get them sorted.

[G.C.]

Institute FC are currently constructing a 750 capacity covered terrace to bring them up to the new IFA Invitational League standard, as well as drug testing facilities, ladies changing facilities and a first aid station.











The new stand is located at the far end of this photo.


They also aim to expand the away stand to bring the ground up to the 3000 capacity mark.

[G.C.]

Update - Pillions have been added.