Q. Could Ulster Rugby, your commercial partners and Belfast City Council not form a partnership and build a sensibly sized stadium (region of 20,000) on a brownfield site to aid in the regeneration of Belfast. Last week I had the pleasure of attending Wigan v St Helens at the JJB Stadium. This is the sort of regeneration model Belfast should be looking to replicate.
A. I agree. Rugby has always highlighted Belfast as its preferred option and this remains the case. We have spoken to Belfast City Council but if Government only want to consider the Maze after the economic assessment and Belfast city council have no plans to develop a site themselves or with an individual sport, then we will remain involved with the Government backed project.
At no time has a business proposal or governance solution been made available in relation to a Belfast Stadium nor have Belfast City Council ever met with a representative from Ulster Rugby.
The plot thickens... the owc website also reproduces an article from the newsletter from May 2007 that says:
Plans for a multi-sports stadium in Belfast are expected to be given a provisional go-ahead at a special council meeting today.
Council officers will unveil their much - anticipated recommendation on whether or not the city should proceed with a rival development to the Maze at Ormeau Park.
Chairman of the Community & recreation committee,Bob Stoker, said he fully expected the officers to give the green light. "I am confident that it will be an affirmative recommendation", he told the News Letter.
Today,members will find out if that viability has been established. Meanwhile,Mr Stoker has revealed that the council is still waiting for the IFA to provide them with its technical requirements for a potential Belfast stadium.
Claiming that Ulster rugby and GAA had furnished the council with their requirements months ago,Mr.Stoker branded the IFA delay a "disgrace".
...doesn't mean there was a meeting but it does imply there has been some communication.
