30 January 2002

Ulster GAA unveil £100m four-year plan to upgrade grounds

The Ulster Council of the GAA has announced an ambitious five-year £100 million plan which will focus on improving stadiums and grounds throughout the province.

The Strategic Plan for Ulster GAA 2002-2006 unveiled on Wednesday January 30, will see the Ulster GAA investing £88.5 million in upgrading facilities over the next four years, with work already started in Belfast, Derry and Armagh.

Casement Park in West Belfast looks set to receive the largest allocation with £15 million earmarked to upgrade the ground.

The Antrim headquarters' capacity will be increased by 2,400 to 35,000 and 23,100 of the spectators will be seated in a new look stadium.

The Athletic Grounds in Armagh will receive the second largest beneficiary of £8 million, which will increase its capacity from the current 5,500 to 25,000.

Clones will be upgraded to a 40,000 capacity with £6 million set to be spent on the Monaghan venue.

A further £14 million will be spent on the remaining six county grounds in Ulster.

The six remaining sums allocated are: Cavan - Breffni Park (£4m), Derry - Celtic Park (£1m), Cavan - MacCumhaill Park (£2m), Newry – Pairc Esler (£3m), Fermanagh - Brewster Park (£1m) and Tyrone - Healy Park (£3m). (AMcE)