GAA gets cash in spite of recession
I READ a notice in the classifieds section of the News Letter (February 10) regarding the Ulster GAA (Comhairle Uladh) Casement Park Stadium Project.
The Ulster Council GAA is proposing to demolish the existing Casement Park Stadium in Belfast and develop “a modern, fit-for-purpose, 40,000-capacity all-seater stadium”, the total budget for the project being in the region of £76.4 million.
The notice said it is anticipated that the project will be completed by September 2015 and will be supported by the Northern Ireland Executive through DCAL and Sport NI.
I thought we were all in a state of recession, with severe cuts in the government’s financial budget.
At Christmas, Sammy Wilson said that a reduction of £50 would be made against OAPs, like myself, for our annual heating money allowance.
Looking ahead, he also believed that no extra funding would be available into next year.
I fear this means more cuts on us OAPs over the coming years due to this financial restraint by government.
Ministers must be living in another world, approving contributions towards this colossal amount of cash to be spent on a sports ground.
I see that the Housing Executive has issued a notice regarding the end of the Boiler Replacement Grant, totalling £1,500, in March. What about those people with faulty, ageing heating?
May I ask another question? When this new sports ground is up and running, will the Executive be asking the Ulster GAA to offer an invitation for Northern Ireland football manager Michael O’Neill to play some home International games in this 40,000-seater stadium.
It might encourage these young NI-born footballers from opting to play for the Irish Republic and deserting old Windsor Park, where only 15,000 fans can watch a game due to health and safety laws.
William Cobain
Ballyclare
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Comments
There are 2 comments to this article
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s magowan
Monday, February 27, 2012 at 09:53 PMBoth the gaa and the Ulster branch of the IRFU do not represent NI at International sporting level .Only the IFA have this claim and there fore should get all the cash that is being handed out .The other two associations should not get nothing
JPGJOHNNYG
Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at 10:47 AMExcuse me Mr Cobain but its not just the GAA that are getting the money The IFA and Ulster rugby are also getting their share. Ravenhill is to be developed into an 1800o stadium and Windsor into a 25000 seater stadium. In fact the IFA contrary to the original terms of the agreement have been given funds for many other projects so it s not just the GAA taking money during times of recession. Of the 76 million 15 million is comiing from the GAA itself. Regarding the stadium I think it will be a fantastic facility and will help regenerate the local area which is greatly in need of some investment. I hope the GAA will have the forsight to allow other sports to have access to the ground. In the short term it is unlikely but if things continue to progress here then why not you mat see a rugby match there some day maybe even as part of an Irish world cup bid. International football is a lot less likely for obvious reasons but who knows what might happen.
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