LAST UPDATE | 16 hrs ago
THE UK GOVERNMENT will not fund the redevelopment of Casement Park in time for the Euros in 2028 due to “a significant risk that it would not be built in time”.
In a letter to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn said the cost of building the Belfast park had risen to £400 million (€470 million).
Letter from the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Secretary of State for the @DCMS on Casement Park 👇https://t.co/gNPlqqGRKZ
— Northern Ireland Office (@NIOgov) September 13, 2024
The letter was also sent to First Minister Michelle O’Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, as well as the leaders of Northern Ireland’s political parties.
O’Neill described the decision as “deeply disappointing” and added that it represented a “missed opportunity for sport and our economy”.
“Casement Park will be built. It’s an Executive commitment, and something that both the British and Irish governments have committed to,” she said.
Casement Park will be built.
— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) September 13, 2024
The decision by the British Government to withhold the necessary share of funding for Casement Park in time for us to host UEFA Euro 2028 is a missed opportunity for sport and our economy.
This was an enormous opportunity to create jobs, boost…
A spokesperson for Ulster GAA said it was “bitterly disappointing” for their organisation, as well as the Northern Irish football association (IFA) and the wider sporting community.
It was confirmed last October by Uefa that Ireland would host the championship with the UK, and the redeveloped Casement Park in Belfast was named as one of the ten venues chosen to stage games.
But there has been mounting speculation that the stadium is set to be axed as a venue for the championship, as the funding required to build the stadium in time for the tournament is still not in place.
In the letter, Benn said: “Having sought expert advice and analysis, we have concluded that there is a significant risk that the stadium would not be built in time.
“This is in part because in the period between the awarding of EURO 2028 and the election of the new Government, almost no progress was made to deliver the stadium build.”
The letter continues: “The estimated build costs have risen dramatically, from £180m when the Euro 2028 bid was awarded in October 2023 to potentially over £400m, and there is a significant risk that it would not be built in time for the tournament.
“We have therefore, regrettably, decided that it is not appropriate for the UK Government to provide funding to seek to build Casement Park in time to host matches at Euro 2028.
This has been a very difficult decision to make, given our belief in the Euro 2028 partnership, but it is the only way forward in the circumstances.
Reports had previously suggested that the projected costs to rebuild the stadium could have reached £308 million (€360 million).
In 2011, the Stormont executive committed £62.5 million (€73 million) to the project.
Earlier this year, the Irish Government offered €50 million towards it, and the GAA has said it will contribute £15 million (€17.5 million).
Work began on the park in March, with diggers seen clearing the concrete terracing in the derelict stadium.
In July, Benn said Casement Park was “probably the most urgent issue” on his desk.
In the joint letter to Stormont, UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said that they will engage with those involved on “the appropriate way forward” for Casement Park.
“We will continue to work together with partners and Uefa regarding Northern Ireland’s involvement in Euro 2028 moving forward, and remain fully committed to ensuring that the tournament positively impacts on the whole of the UK, providing a legacy for football and people across all four home nations,” the letter said.
“As we understand it, the Executive remains committed to building Casement Park and you will no doubt want to take stock of the project in light of this decision.
“We will, therefore, seek engagement with NI partners, including the GAA, in the coming weeks, to discuss this decision in more detail as well as seeking views on the appropriate way forward for Casement Park.”
The announcement comes just hours after Michelle O’Neill said she hoped there would be a decision from the UK government on funding to rebuild the park in the “immediate period ahead”.
“Casement Park will be built. It is still my absolute preference that it is built as part of the Euros,” she said following a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Dublin.
The benefit to come from that is enormous, not just in terms of sport but in terms of the economic benefit that comes from building such a stadia, the employment that would bring, the income it would generate.
“Sport is one of those areas that should be a big unifier in society and I hope that is the case. But we await the British Government’s contribution and the time is ticking in terms of making that announcement.
“I would hope that we get to hear more from the British Government in the immediate period ahead.”
SDLP West Belfast councillor Paul Doherty has said the UK Government’s decision not to provide funding to build Casement Park for Euro 2028 is a massive, wasted opportunity.
“This is an incredibly short sighted move and the way it has been handled is very disappointing given the potential to host one of the biggest sports tournaments in the world in the North. When it came to funding, the Irish Government did not hesitate to step up and contribute and that stands in stark contrast to this decision,” Doherty said.
“When the Euros come to every part of these islands but the North we will realise exactly what we are missing out on. It’s damning that this incredible opportunity has been squandered. Attention must now turn to building Casement and delivering a home for Ulster GAA. While losing out on the Euros will sting for some time, Casement Park must be rebuilt and doing so will bring so much opportunity for the community in west Belfast and the wider GAA in the North.”
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