At last, this show is back on the road. Sort of.
It has gone on for too long. Casement Park, one of the proudest venues in Ireland filled with rich and timeless memories, has been sitting in a derelict state since the tail end of 2012.
What was once a solid and immovable symbol of culture and magic planted in the heart of west Belfast is now just an eyesore taking up space.
Forgotten Ulster produced these depressing images of the current state of Casement Park only two months ago and it hit home with Gaels everywhere.
Players who once hailed its plains as the best they’ve played on had enough of seeing its degeneration. Fans with so many happy memories on the Andersonstown Road were fed up. And Antrim natives who realised the importance of a beating heart pumping through a thriving stadium in the county have increasingly upped their arms in anger.
On Monday: progress.
Ulster GAA have unveiled new plans for an exciting new stadium at Casement Park which will bring its capacity to 34,500 (only 8,500 of which will be a standing terrace).
The vision for Casement Park by Ulster GAA.
The new stadium bowl was developed by architects Populous with plans to transform Casement Park into a multi-purpose venue with significant economic, social and cultural benefits for the area.
The announcement follows an extensive Stage One community consultation process with 91% supportive of the project whereas Stage Two will be rolled out over the week to give the public a chance to see the proposed designs.
The new facilities at the new site would include:
- Conference and banqueting facilities
- Handball courts
- Community space, including café
- Exhibition space / cultural centre
- Replacement social club
- Car parking available for use on non-match days
- Enhanced public realm to Andersonstown Road
- Dedicated traffic and travel operations including supporter coach travel and dedicated off-site park and ride transportation
- The ability to positively contribute to the local economy of West Belfast and further afield
The most recent images of Antrim's once hallowed Casement Park are bloody depressing https://t.co/FdaRkqLmfJ #GAA
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 20, 2016
Plans were always afoot to submit a planning application by the end of the year with hopes that work on the redevelopment would begin in 2017.
It can’t come soon enough.
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