Designers win Maze arena contract

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6288213.stm

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The stadium planned for the site of the Maze prison is to be designed by the team behind the London Olympic Stadium.

The Mott MacDonald HOK Sport Team has won the international competition to design the multi-sports arena.

However, the government will not make the final decision until the end of the year on whether to build the stadium.

The plan is for a 35,000-seater stadium for soccer and rugby, with the removal of 5,000 seats to allow up to 12,000 extra GAA fans to stand at matches.

The design team were behind the GAA's Croke Park in Dublin, and are currently working on the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road across the city.

The consortium's CV includes Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium in London and the Olympic Stadium in Sydney.

Speaking at the press conference to announce the winners, Northern Ireland Office Minister David Hanson said the "key issues of viability, value for money and affordability are currently being addressed".

One of the H-blocks is to be retained"Subject to government successfully delivering a private development partner, then Northern Ireland canlook forward to having a stadium it can be proud of," he said.

The minister said a competition for naming rights would begin soon, which would potentially attract more private sector investment and give the project further momentum.

'World-class'

GAA president Nicky Brennan said: "This stadium will give us a wonderful opportunity, not just in terms of its facilities, but also because everyone in society will have a shared space they can be proud of and which embodies a bright new future."

IFA president Jim Boyce said a "world-class stadium" would "attract bigger attendances, generate additional revenues and to help deliver our forward business and marketing plans for the greater benefit of Northern Ireland football in general".

Ulster Rugby chief executive Michael Reid said: "Rugby in Ulster is increasing in popularity and the huge increase in demand for seated season tickets this year has meant we simply need more seats for larger games."

Demolition of the Maze site is expected to be completed in November.

Belfast City Council has a rival plan to build a 25,000 seat stadium at Ormeau Park.