Preparatory work to begin at Casement Pk, says O'Neill
Work is to begin next week to "prepare for the regeneration" of Casement Park GAA stadium in west Belfast, the First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said in a social media post.
Ms O'Neill wrote on X: "I welcome the news that work will begin at Casement Park next week to prepare for its regeneration.
"I am a firm believer in the power of sport and the lasting impact it brings to people’s lives, our communities, and local economy.
"Building a new Casement Park stadium is a key Executive priority.
"We must work together to deliver on a transformative vision for sports."
Last week the long-stalled project recieved two significant boosts as the Northern Ireland's Executive signalled an intent to reflect inflationary pressures in additional funding for the stadium.
Along with that Ulster GAA CEO Brian McAvoy stated that 2026 would be the year when "it appears that we will finally be entering the delivery phase" of Casement Park.
The delays in rolling out the stadium, which last hosted a game 13 years ago, have been many and varied.
Initial planning permission for a 38,000-capacity stadium was subsequently overturned by judicial review in 2014.
In 2021, permission was then granted for an arena catering for 34,500 people, but subsequent inflation increases have driven the project from its initial cost of £78.5m to an estimated £260m last year.
Along the way, Casement Park missed out on the prospect of being a host venue for Euro 2028.
Confirmed funding thus far includes £62.5m from Stormont, Croke Park (£15m) and the Irish Government (£42m).
The UK Government has pledged £50m and Stormont Finance Minister John O'Dowd proposed additional funding of £46m to reflect inflationary pressures.
Ulster GAA said it is "looking forward to enabling works recommencing at Casement Park from next week (w/c 26th January).
"This is an important next step in the project and will include site clearance and the demolition of existing structures within the site boundary, including the old stand.
"We have written to local residents and updated the local voluntary, business and community organisations on our plans.
"As the project progresses, we move closer to delivering our provincial stadium that will provide lasting sporting, social and economic benefits for West Belfast and all of Ulster."
