DCAL Sub Regional Stadia Programme –
Deadline for Responses is approaching
How you can help make it happen.
As we’re sure everyone is aware, the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has recently announced its plans for funding of building and modernisation of sub regional (ie local) football stadia across Northern Ireland. A complete rebuild of the National Stadium for football (Windsor Park) and the Kingspan Stadium (Ravenhill) has been completed with DCAL finance. The final stage of the programme will see the rebuild of Casement Park for Gaelic games and a significant contribution to domestic football.
The strategic objectives of the programme are:
i. To contribute to addressing the stadium needs of soccer at the sub regional level;
ii. To contribute to addressing the low and dwindling attendance at games through the provision of improved facilities;
iii. To improve the viability and sustainability of soccer at the sub regional level;
iv. To assist in developing safer and more family orientated facilities;
v. To contribute to achieving the increased participation levels anticipated in Sports Matters and to wider government policies and initiatives through health benefits, infrastructure development, neighbourhood renewal, social inclusion and the promotion of a cohesive and socially inclusive society;
vi. To develop shared sustainable facilities and maximise the scope for groundsharing;
vii. To contribute to promoting equality and tackling poverty and social exclusion.
The programme is to be implemented in 5 separate strands. The strand most relevant to Glentoran is strand one which relates to the provision of safe stadia. Under this strand it is recommended by both DCAL AND The Irish Football Association that £10 million is allocated to East Belfast through Glentoran FC on the following basis:
- The Oval is arguably the least fit-for-purpose stadium we have for senior football in Northern Ireland at the moment. The only recent upgrade which this stadium has benefitted from involving public money was the provision of new floodlights in 2009. The IFA would recommend that redevelopment of The Oval should take place in partnership with Glentoran FC; the stadium should be suitable for hosting high level competition matches with a moderate capacity level of 6,000 to 8,000 persons. The venue would meet all appropriate, UEFA, IFA, Red Guide and DDA requirements whilst providing a suitably equipped facility for all media and broadcast partners. In order to ensure viability and sustainability it is anticipated that all available commercial and public sector revenue opportunities would be integrated into the facility.
The document has now been put to public consultation. Through this process every individual and group or business has the opportunity to offer their views on each aspect of the proposal.
Glentoran FC welcomes all investment in local football and its positive impact on local communities. In particular the club welcomes the commitment of DCAL and the Executive to investing in a safe, modern stadium in Inner East Belfast. Our home area has been sadly neglected in recent years with the withdrawal of major employers from the area and a lack of sporting, leisure and educational facilities contributing to a lack of confidence and lack of educational achievement among too many of the young people of Inner East Belfast.
We all have a positive and vital part to play in supporting the Executive’s plans to enrich Inner East Belfast. We encourage any individual or group with a commitment to Glentoran and to social inclusion and the provision of modern sporting facilities for the people of East Belfast to register that support through the DCAL consultation site below:
Link to the DCAL consultation site - click HERE
Every response – whether individual or on behalf of a local business or community group – will count towards the final outcome here so please register your support and let your views be known. This opportunity for Inner East Belfast will not come again.
Thank You
Le Jeu Avant Tout
