The redevelopment of Windsor Park is Northern Ireland is progressing well, the Sports Minister has confirmed.

South Belfast Ulster Unionist MLA Michael McGimpsey welcomed the news and said the construction notice for the Olympia leisure centre programme has been secured.

The project is to be launched in partnership with Belfast City Council later this month.

Mr McGimpsey said: "This key site will be redeveloped as a partnership between DCAL, Belfast City Council and the IFA and includes an investment of £2,750,000 from the IFA budget to this partnership with Belfast City Council and should be completed around autumn 2016.

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"I was also encouraged to hear the Minister say that work is progressing very well on the redevelopment of Windsor Park and that 'provided significant delays with any unforeseen circumstances are avoided, the Windsor Park development can remain on programme, with completion of construction works planned for November this year'.

"This is indeed welcome news for Northern Ireland football fans who will be hoping that the Stadium can be completed even sooner so that as many fans as possible can attend the vital European Championship qualifiers against Hungary in September and Greece in October."

(CD/JP)