Plans for the Maze

Cockatrice · Post by **Cockatrice** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:47 pm

Anyone see the exclusive plans for the Maze on the BBC News this evening which included a 5,000 indoor arena as well as underground car parking and the Equestrian Centre eluded to before.

All adjacent to the Terrorist Museum (Conflict Resolution Centre) which includes one H block and the hospital in which the 10 Hunger Strikers died.

cjp · Post by **cjp** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 10:12 pm

I saw it was very impressive.

Rooster · Post by **Rooster** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:21 am

The story on the BBC HERE
Thy don't expect big crowds with a 3000 space carpark

There are also plans for a rail link and park-and-ride system close to the stadium, though these will not be ready by the stadium's planned opening date in 2010.

I always thought that the first part of any building project was to get the transport infrastructure in place

pwrmoore · Post by **pwrmoore** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:04 am

Thats's the very point - as far as I'm concerned Rooster!

Effective infrastructure is crucial for an out-of city-centre project like this. How often do do these "planned" facilities which are mentioned in the submission in order to deflect potential criticism acually get built?

I am deeply suspicious that the mention of the rail-link will be enough to allow the government, the planners and the stadium builders to demonstrate that the plans are "viable" and stall/deflect effective criticism and analysis of the plans. However once the plans are passed they will never find the money to build the rail link and it will be forgotton about. The stadium will end-up a white elephant as many of us fear it will.

Here is an opportunity to build a decent rail link that connects the the Airport and the stadium site to Belfast - but it will be missed.

Rooster · Post by **Rooster** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:13 am

The rail link will never be built if it is not there before stadium is opened.
I have an old road map from the early 70's which shows the proposed route of the M1 as far as Enniskillen the M2 going up to both Coleraine and Londonderry and a further link between Portadown and Newry meeting up with the motorway from Lisburn to Newry, there has not been much progress on those all yet

pwrmoore · Post by **pwrmoore** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:18 am

Rooster wrote:The rail link will never be built if it is not there before stadium is opened.
I have an old road map from the early 70's which shows the proposed route of the M1 as far as Enniskillen the M2 going up to both Coleraine and Londonderry and a further link between Portadown and Newry meeting up with the motorway from Lisburn to Newry, there has not been much progress on those all yet

couldn't have put it better myself.....

ding dong2u · Post by **ding dong2u** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:42 am

Sure wasn't there a report of several accidents and traffic chaos when 19.000 turned up for the game at Casement Park on Sunday. Can you imagine the mess if that had been at the Maze

bogboy · Post by **bogboy** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:43 am

Why was it aired

Well we're the City of Belfast lot meant to present their Case to BCC last night

And the SIB will do anything and I mean ANYTHING to stop that getting airtime

It was the same old tripe and spin

And no proposals to stop the log jam at the place

Similiarly there is alot of garbage in this Mornings Telegraph allegedly written by the Minister himself

But including the out clause

"I and My Ministerial colleagues will have to be satisfied about the
FULL COSTS and benefits( ? ) of any decision to commit Public expenditure to the Maze/Long Kesh project and that it will be affordable in the context of competing claims on scarce resources"

Unfortunately all this does is to encourage those in charge to over estimate the expected crowds and underestimate the costs

A formula for disaster

aarons · Post by **aarons** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 10:46 am

cjp wrote:I saw it was very impressive.

Seconded. Bearing in mind the above concerns about the transport infrastructure.

dead ball · Post by **dead ball** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:05 am

It's happening boys now be gracious in defeat!

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:12 am

Don't know whether or not it will happen DB. Just certain we'll not have to play there.

dead ball · Post by **dead ball** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:13 am

Is that another unofficial official statement there Gary!

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:17 am

It's common sense DB. Also keep your eye on the IFA - there have been a few interesting meetings taking place.

pwrmoore · Post by **pwrmoore** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:20 am

I'm NOT defeated DB. Whether or not the stadium is built at the Maze is not the issue I'm concerned with.

What I AM concerned with is that IF it is built at the Maze the job is done properly and the infrastructure that is required top make it succeed is put in place in time for it to open. Putting a proposed rail-link in a plan without the commitment to deliver it is disingenuos. If it isn't built at the same time as the stadium it will never be built.

dead ball · Post by **dead ball** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 11:33 am

Gary
Are the URSC/UR ready to make that statement you promised nearly 6 months ago? Isn't it about time you dealt with the realities? We will play at the Maze it's not a matter of 'if' rather 'when'.