Casement Park in Belfast has been waiting for a day like this.
The long dilapidated GAA stadium in West Belfast has been waiting for a windfall.
The British government pledged one today.
A £50 million (€59 million) investment is being put on the table by the British government to “support the redevelopment” of the stadium.
This is a massive boost without doubt. But Casement will still need another £90 million to meet the total £260 million or so that will see the stadium renewed and fit for purpose.
For over a decade, Casement Park has been at the centre of a long and protracted saga, and lies derelict since 2013 when the gates were closed in readiness for the building of a new provincial GAA stadium.
In March 2011 the Stormont Executive agreed funding for major upgrades to Casement Park, Windsor Park and Ravenhill. The soccer and rugby venues were both quickly redeveloped, however, initial planning permission for the new Casement Park was quashed in December 2014 when the High Court in Belfast ruled a ministerial decision granting planning approval for the redevelopment of the stadium was unlawful, amid concerns from some residents regarding the impact of the new stadium on their lives.
Stormont has promised £62.5 million for the new Casement Park stadium with £15 million coming from the GAA. In April of last year, the Irish government promised £43 million for the project after claims that costs had sky-rocketed in recent years.
