A Case by case basis for rebuild
THE Ulster Council says it will learn from the mistakes made with Pairc Ui Chaoimh when building a new Casement Park.
Ulster GAA chiefs are confident the new Belfast venue will be delivered on budget – and be able to “wash its face” – when it finally opens after years of delay.
The return of politicians to Stormont has injected some fresh momentum into the stalled Casement Park redevelopment, with two government ministers meeting Ulster GAA on site on Wednesday.
And Ulster Council president Oliver Galligan said they intend to absorb the lessons from the Pairc Ui Chaoimh redevelopment, which cost €10million more than projected by the Cork county board and has operated at a loss since opening.
It is anticipated Casement Park will now cost around £110million, a big increase on the original estimate of £77million.
“We have gone through this closely for the last two or three years and we have increased building costs of about £30million because of the long delay – but we will have a firm contract whenever it starts and it will be tight to that,” claimed Galligan,
“Pairc Ui Chaoimh got out of hand a wee bit, there was a contract and it escalated then through no fault of anybody’s. Perhaps it was not tight enough.”
Former Ulster Council head of finance Michelle Mcaleer took over as the stadium manager of Pairc Ui Chaoimh in February 2019.
The pitch problems have now been resolved and it is hoped that from 2020 onwards, the Cork stadium will provide a surplus.
“We will talk to Croke Park and everyone we can and learn from others,” added Galligan.
“Once it is open, Casement Park has to wash its face.
“Belfast and Ulster needs a GAA stadium and when it is up and running it will have to pay for itself.”