New Stadium for Ulster?

ALH-06

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/northern_ireland/7963513.stm

A new 20,000 seater municipal stadium for east Belfast. Rugby and soccer interests have been invited to express interest (not GAA, though), but so far no comment from Ulster Branch.

It seems unlikely, given their fondness for Ravenhill and a recent redevelopment scheme being given the go ahead there. Aforementioned redevelopment does not look impressive, however, with the only planned stage to cater mostly for corporate interests at the ground....

Koloman

This must be a Trojan horse development. It makes no economical sense, especially without the GAA who would have the biggest attended games. It would also be far to big for a NI soccer club as well.

Digifriendly

Koloman wrote: »

This must be a Trojan horse development. It makes no economical sense, especially without the GAA who would have the biggest attended games. It would also be far to big for a NI soccer club as well.

Haven't read the plans in detail but remember as regards Ulster Rugby, it would only stage European Cup games. Ravenhill has 2 major problems which cannot be overcome (in the short term at least) as regards staging major matches - car parking facilities and inconvenience re public transport esp. rail services. The proposed new stadium would solve both these problems. I may be wrong but is GAA not proposing major new complex including stadium in or near Omagh?

Stupido

Don't hold your breath!!

This is a stadium for Glentoran FC whose ground is to be redeveloped as part of the scheme.

The original plan was much smaller. They have just taken advantage of the scrapping of the Maze Stadium plan to try and get rugby (3 games a year) and the IFA games (6 games) there.

Gaa are not wanted as part of this. Simple as that.


BTW a lot of people feel Ormeau Park Stadium Proposal is the one to go with.

anonymous_joe

Are Glentoran the ones who hate Catholics and want to hang Neil Lennon?

thehighground

Bit of kite flying it seems: http://www.ulsterrugby.com/10110.php

Stadium Speculation

26 March 2009, 9:14 am
By Lyndsey Irwin
Following recent media reports, Ulster Rugby would like to confirm and highlight, that it has not committed, in any way, to the Eastonville Stadium Project in East Belfast.

While Ulster Rugby Officials have previously met with the Eastonville Traders Ltd, the lack of any appropriate business case means that presently, their proposal does not form part of the plans that Ulster Rugby have submitted privately to the Sports Minister Gregory Campbell with regard to developing stadia to meeting the needs of rugby.

Contrary to media reports which, in addition to suggesting that Ulster Rugby will play Heineken Cup matches at the proposed Blanchflower Stadium, have also reported that the squad could train at the venue, Ulster Rugby confirms that they are in discussions with Newforge Country Club with regard to extending their lease of the site as a training base for a further ten years, during which time a dedicated training facility will be developed on-site.

Ulster Rugby are currently undertaking a £4.5million redevelopment project at Ravenhill, building a state-of-the-art grandstand on the terrace side of the Ground which will accommodate 20 corporate boxes and 532 premium seats. For more information on the Ravenhill Redevelopment Project please click here

Digifriendly

Stupido wrote: »

BTW a lot of people feel Ormeau Park Stadium Proposal is the one to go with.

Just out of interest what do you base this on? TBH I thought the Ormeau Park Proposal was 'dead in the water' although with Central Station nearby it certainly would be convenient as regards transport. All I can remember re Ormeau Park was Ian Paisley strongly objecting as his church is adjacent to the proposed site. As regards hating Neil Lennon I'm not sure whether this was associated with one club so much as a group of idiots at N. Ireland matches shouting sectarian abuse. AFAIK both Linfield and Glentoran have players from both sides of the religious divide on their books.

RuggieBear

back to rugby folks.

Stupido

Many Ulster fans I have talked to have all said that their preference would be to locate a stadium at the park, because it is so close to the city centre.

They even see this as a better option to redeveloping ravenhill.

[Jackass]

I think Ulster rugby has already pumped a bit of it's own money into Ravenhill and it would all go to waste if they started playing big games in this new stadium. It's a shame, I'm sure if Ulster rugby didn't spend a penny on Revenhill they would be all over this idea, it looks like a great development and could be sustainable for soccer international matches & Heineken Cup rugby and the odd Irish league cup final. Lansdowne Road, a much bigger and far more expensive development, wont be surviving on much more action than that.

Shame, would be great to have the facilities of Irish rugby enhanced to having a home ground of that calibre...ah well...