HMP Maze

[An Fear Dubh]

I have mixed feelings over this issue. The Ulster GAA have two built facilities that needs up graded. One is Casement Park in Belfast and the other is in Clones, Co. Monaghan. Ulster Rugby have Ravenhill Park but it is also in need of up grade. Norn Iron soccer have Windsor Park, and I am lead to believe that one part has already failed UEFA regulations another part is near failing point.
Now I wonder does the cost of upgrading these sites to meet required standards amount to more than the cost of building a new stadium.
I read a report on the situation of stadias and it fell heavily down on putting them in city centers. Mainly because of all the infrastructure existing, roads, trains, restaurants, pubs, hotels and other things. The Maze site does not have those things they need to be built.

But the big thing about the Maze is the British government want the site gone, the demolition is ongoing. And the offer to build a stadium at a cost of £500 million is only for the Maze site and nowhere else. It is only if all 3 sporting codes combine and the one that steps out, will be forever outcast, by most. For myself I would like to see some historical museum there, but it is not my ultimate goal.

[Jim]

By the looks of it the guvvament are trying to make the Maze area something to be worked on over coming years. Put a stadium out there then hope shops pubs and restuarants open up there, bit like the trafford centre / old trafford area in manchester. too bad for belfast that the only thing out there right now is a field and an old prison..

Dont be a coot, build it in the buckin city.

[An Fear Dubh]

Of course this is all in the news because the University of Ulster who asked by Belfast City Council to do a study, issue their report and findings today.
It has been suggested by Belfast City Council that Poots intended to 'deliver a sucker punch' prior to this report.
But I see the proposal of Belfast Council as meaningless, because where is the money coming from to build in Belfast, the money only exists for the Maze. It is additional money and seperate money. So talk of this money could be better spent on Health, Education etc is meaningless, as it does not exist except for the Maze!! And how do Belfast get all 3 sporting codes on board for a site in a divided Belfast.

[Jim]

Thats a fair point. There arent many places that are neutral, and any area that is, is middle class. They'd not want that around their area.

Was watching BBC news earlier in work and they mentioned that the millenium dome in London done crap business because it was in the middle of no where (in london, anywhere without a tall building is nowhere!) and there was barely any transport to get out there, no shops, no nothing, and it was shut down for about 6 years. That'll end up happening to this new stadium unless its well thought through and the government actually bother spending cash on other things than actually building the stadium. You need to be able to get people out there aswell and I dont mean a 20 quid ticket through Translink to get to the outskirts of Lisburn.

[Shades40]

The domes back on track..........
wwp.millennium-dome.com/

Don't people realise Belfast is the centre of the universe and therefore should be given the lot! anyone outside (country wans) should look on in awe and hope that one day they can be called a Belfastonion.

[Jim]

I didnt know anyone lived outside belfast

[An Fear Dubh]

The experts seems to say that a stadium located at the Maze would be a 'white elephant'. And the London government is only offering the money to build a stadium if it is on the Maze site. The running of the stadium after it is built will fall onto the Assembly especially if it is running at a loss. I agree that a neutral site in Belfast city centre would be preferential, but no such site exists. Belfast is a divided city and I do not see a feasible site in Belfast.