ULSTER GAA chief executive Brian McAvoy has insisted that claims of a £400m-plus cost for the redevelopment of Casement Park are “wildly exaggerated.”
The Burren clubman acknowledges that there remains “a significant funding gap” but insists that the job will be done.
Writing in his annual report to be delivered to Ulster GAA’s Annual Convention on January 10 2025, McAvoy states:
“A clear strategic case has long been made for a Provincial-sized stadium in a city that has not hosted an Ulster Football Final since 1971, and an updated delivery plan is being progressed.
“Central GAA, Ulster GAA, and Antrim GAA are absolutely aligned on the need to finish what was started at Casement Park. Promises made must now be delivered upon.”
As the next step in that process, the stand will be demolished soon after investment in new temporary premises for the Casement Social Club was also progressed and is now complete.
“This can facilitate the demolition of the old stand in the New Year, after the members make the transition to the new facility at St Agnes’ Hall,” explained McAvoy.
The provincial secretary expressed some disappointment at the attitude of the DUP’s Gordon Lyons, MLA, Minister for the Department for Communities (DfC):
“Our team continued to work closely with the DfC Stadium Team following the restoration of devolution, though it soon became clear that the Minister was not particularly enthused at the prospect of Euro 28 games being played at the West Belfast venue.
“Momentum for meeting the challenging deadlines of UEFA began to slip and the decision not to commence the procurement process for a new contractor, coupled with the absence of action from the UK Government, despite written assurances made by the former Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, MP, in March 2023, would ultimately prove costly.”
Despite that major disappointment, McAvoy is adamant that Casement Park can, and will, be built:
“While some £120m has been secured for delivery of the stadium, a significant funding gap remains. Current estimates are that the final figure will be well below the wildly exaggerated costs of £400m plus, which were reported a few months back.
“Ulster GAA has recently met both the DfC Minister and the new Secretary of State, Hilary Benn, MP, and we have made clear the GAA’s intentions and our members’ right to see the delivery of what has been promised consistently for well over a decade.”
