Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín has visited Ravenhill, the home of Ulster Rugby, ahead of the official opening of the re-developed stadium on Friday evening.

Three new stands have been built at the stadium at a cost of £16.4m, so increasing the Capacity from 11,000 to 18,000. The stadium will be officially re-opened on Friday when Ulster play host to Leinster in the RaboDirect PRO12 Competition.

The same two sides met when the Ravenhill pitch was first opened in 1924.

During her visit, the Minister had the opportunity to meet with some of those who had worked on the site, including some of the students and apprentices who had gained employment and experience on site during construction, in keeping with the Department's approach to 'social clauses'.

-- Advertisement --

The Minister was very impressed with the 'new' Ravenhill and praised the main contractor Gilbert Ash, sub-contractors, design team, architects and all those who have helped make this a reality.

She said: "I cannot but admire this magnificent stadium and I thank all those who have helped this dream to become a reality. In recent years the Ulster Rugby team have been competing at the highest levels of the game within Europe and it is proper and fitting that they now have a stadium to match. There were many great occasions in the 'old' Ravenhill and I'm sure there'll be many more to come in the 'new' Ravenhill.

"Social Clauses were an integral part of this contract and I am committed to addressing the challenges of disadvantage. I am pleased that this contract offered opportunities for apprentices and the long term unemployed and also provided opportunities for student placements. I am pleased to have met with some of these people during my visit and to hear first hand of the benefits they have gained from this experience."

(CD/JP)