Ormeau Park Stadium Bid Boosted

Controversy over the location of NI's own 'national' sports stadium grew today with news that the Irish Football Association President Raymond Kennedy would like to see it located in Belfast - and not the much debated former Maze prison site outside Lisburn.

He wants to see it built at Ormeau Park in Belfast because he believes the Maze is no longer an option for the stadium which would accommodate football, rugby and GAA.

"I would love to have a nice, spanking new stadium at Ormeau Park," he said.

Kennedy added that the IFA, Linfield soccer team and the NI Executive would meet this week to discuss the disputed international contract at Windsor Park.

The IFA and Linfield have already held an "exploratory" meeting over the issue, which could he heading for the courts.

The governing body wants to terminate a deal signed in 1984 stating that all home internationals would be played at Linfield's Windsor Park for 104 years.

This follows a question mark over Windsor Park's future suitability for international football after a report for the government said there was a high risk of fire in the South Stand, used by up to 4,000 spectators.

The report's executive summary said Windsor did not comply with UEFA requirements in a number of areas.

Now, Mr Kennedy has said: "Belfast City Council have come up with five sites and I would take any one of them."

Earlier this month, five potential sites in the capital were short listed by the council.

Maysfield, Ormeau Park, North Foreshore, Boucher Road and Blanchflower/Tommy Patton Park were detailed in a report, produced by development consultants Driver Jonas, on behalf of the council.

A copy of the business plan has been forwarded to the Department for Finance and Personnel and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure for their consideration.

Chairman of the Council's Parks and Leisure Committee, Councillor Bob Stoker, has again called on the Government to work in conjunction with the council.

Mr Stoker said he wants private developers to deliver the stadium in the "most cost effective way to meet the needs of the sports and the demands of the fans for a city location".

See: Belfast's Bid For A Stadium Unveiled

(BMcC)