Northern Ireland government committed to Casement Park project as it vies for Rugby World Cup
by Matthew Campelli | 20 Jan 2016
Work on the 38,000-capacity stadium was due to begin in early 2015 before planning permissions was overturned
The Northern Irish government has expressed its commitment to redeveloping Belfast’s Casement Park stadium in a bid to bring the 2023 Rugby World Cup to Ireland.
Belfast's Casement Park is at the heart of the joint bid Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland put forward to host the tournament, but work on the 38,000-capacity Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) venue – which was originally scheduled for completion in 2015 – stalled after planning permission was overturned in December 2014 over failures in the environmental impact assessment.
However, Northern Ireland's sports minister Caral Ni Chuilin has made positive noises about getting the plans back on track. “A redeveloped Casement Park is a programme for government commitment and integral to the bid for 2023,” she said. “I remain committed to ensuring that we deliver on that commitment and I am confident we will do so.”
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The masterplan for the stadium, designed by Populous, envisions the introduction of 2,000 corporate level seats to secure major fixtures and would add 2,000sq m (21,500sq ft) of dedicated community space and facilities supporting a range of sporting and non-sporting uses.
Northern Ireland's new first minister, Arlene Foster, has backed the country's ability to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, highlighting the nation’s hosting of the Giro d’Italia and the Irish Open Golf Championships as evidence of “significant experience hosting major international sporting events”.
Royal Portrush in Antrim is also due to stage The Open Championship in 2019, while the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has secured the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Deputy first minister Martin McGuinness added that Northern Ireland would be a “hugely attractive destination for rugby supporters” and said he was confident it would host a successful tournament.
“We must all now go the extra mile to bring this sporting spectacle to Ireland in 2023,” he added.
Other countries vying to host the competition include France, Italy and South Africa.
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High Court deems Casement Park stadium decision "unlawful"
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The Northern Irish government has expressed its commitment to redeveloping Belfast’s Casement Park stadium in a bid to bring the 2023 Rugby World Cup to Ireland. Belfast's Casement Park is at the heart of the joint bid Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland put forward to host the tournament, but work on the 38,000-capacity Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) venue – which was originally scheduled for completion in 2015 –
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