The Parks and Leisure Committee of Belfast City Council has agreed to develop the business case for a the development of a stadium in Belfast city centre.

Meanwhile, the committee also agreed to discontinue the further assessment of two private-sector development proposals for a multi-purpose sports stadium at Ormeau Park.

Both decisions need to be ratified by the full council at its next monthly meeting on Monday 1 October.

The decision not to pursue the private sector proposals was made because the committee felt it would be unreasonable to expect the companies to spend the time and money required to take their proposals to the next stage at a time of political uncertainty around the Maze proposals.

-- Advertisement --

The business case will consider issues such as who and what the stadium would be for; the size and nature of the stadium needed to meet demand; the resources required and the funding options for the construction and operation of the stadium; the business mix that would be needed to make it work operationally; and site specific considerations.

The case also will look at the benefits accruing to Belfast from the Maze development if it were to proceed, and also identify any necessary infrastructure improvements that would be needed to maximise those benefits.

Meanwhile, the council is continuing to lobby the Northern Ireland Executive to work with the council and the private sector to locate any national stadium in the city of Belfast.

The council is to write to Ministers Edwin Poots and Peter Robinson within the next few days, asking to meet them to discuss the issue further.

(LC/SP)