'Boot out park stadium bid'

Politics

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

By Sam McBride

Politicians who support Belfast as the site for a national stadium have joined calls to reject Ormeau Park as a suitable location.

South Belfast DUP MLA Jimmy Spratt and former Belfast Lord Mayor Pat McCarthy said the two proposals for a stadium in the popular park were unworkable.

Mr Spratt said he passionately believed that the park must be preserved.

"There are only a few green spaces left close to the city centre and they must be retained," he said.

"I support the city of Belfast for a national stadium and if it comes to a vote in the Assembly, I will firmly support the city proposal.

"But I don't believe the road structures here could cope with the number of spectators coming to matches."

And Mr McCarthy, an SDLP councillor who lives on the Ormeau Road, said he believed the Ormeau stadium would never materialise.

"I support a stadium in Belfast, but Ormeau Park is not suitable. If this plan for a stadium in the park is agreed, I think there will be a lot of opposition," he admitted.

One local resident said: "If this was Hyde Park, there's no way they would get planning permission for this."

South Belfast Sinn Fein MLA Alex Maskey, who supports the Maze stadium proposal, said he had encountered strong opposition to the Ormeau Park idea from local residents.

"Within the past year we have seen residents raise genuine concerns about proposals to expand the nearby Ravenhill rugby ground.

"I believe that to build a stadium at Ormeau Park would only exacerbate the type of problems associated with the Ravenhill expansion."

There are two proposals for an Ormeau Park stadium.

One is from the Sheridan Group and the other from the City of Belfast Stadium consortium.

A public meeting organised by the Save Ormeau Park group will be held at Ballynafeigh Community House this Thursday, August 16, at 7.30pm.