Poots keeps stadium options open

Sports Minister Edwin Poots insisted there would be no terrorism shrine

Sports Minister Edwin Poots has refused to confirm whether a new multi-sports stadium will be located at the Maze.

A Stormont committee has been asking him about a leaked feasibility study which recommended the Maze as the best location for the all-seater stadium.

Consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers said the venue had the potential to generate significant revenue.

However, Mr Poots, whose Lagan Valley constituency includes the Maze site, said he was considering all options.

In an angry exchange with Ulster Unionist MLA David McNarry, Mr Poots insisted there will not be a "shrine" to former terrorists beside any stadium at the Maze.

The DUP assembly member insisted that plans for a conflict transformation centre at the Maze were nothing to do with his department or the committee but that he would not be associated with a so-called "shrine".

The Maze site is opposed by some unionists because of the planned museum.

Opposition has also come from many Northern Ireland soccer fans who want any new stadium to be in Belfast.

The Gaelic Athletic Association, Irish Football Association and Ulster Rugby have all confirmed they would play games at any Maze stadium.

The site is just outside Lisburn in County Antrim.

Overall cost

According to the Press Association which obtained the report, the consultants claimed that the overall cost to the taxpayer after the first four years of operation would be £37m.

This was based on the 38,500-seat stadium hosting 23 major sporting and music events in a year and attracting just under 500,000 paying spectators.

Other options examined included a hypothetical stadium in north Belfast and the refurbishment of the three sporting bodies' existing venues.

The report said there would be many benefits to a venue at Belfast's north foreshore, but ruled it out on cost grounds.

"Hypothetically such an option would generate high visitor spending benefits because it is located closer to the city centre, but these are outweighed by the capital and infrastructure costs and the higher value of this site," the report is quoted as saying.