Too soon to say on public money, says Lyons
pacemakerThe community minister said it was too early to say whether it would be promised any public funding to the new football national training center in Antrim County.
The Irish Football Association (IFA)’s “state-of-the-art” centre will be located next to Galgorm Resort outside Ballymena.
The facility is expected to open in 2028 – will “have world-class courts and cutting-edge training facilities.”
Speaking with the BBC News NI live, Community Minister Gordon Lyons said the project was in a “very early stage”.
Lyon said that before a decision is made, business cases must go through “proper processes.”
“There is a lot of work to do first, but overall we have Northern Ireland Football Fund, which is part of it, but it’s too early to talk about money at this stage.”
He added that after considering the business case, the IFA will submit further plans to consider.
ifaQuiet confidence and quiet cost
BBC News NI’s Mark Simpson analysis
How everyone involved in the program will meet the cost of the new football center is questioned.
When Community Secretary Gordon Lyons was on the spot, he got rid of the question of whether public funds could be provided.
The involvement of private enterprise Galgorm Resort complicates the issue, but IFA believes it still has the right to Stormont Cash.
The sports world has already spent between £8 million and £10 million in terms of the overall cost of the new 50-acre football centre.
But, ultimately, it depends on the ambitious IFA wants to build a facility.
Despite unresolved issues, the program is still full of confidence in quiet confidence and the first ball will be played to the new center by the summer of 2028.
GAALyon was also asked to fund the GAA Stadium, the stagnant casement park.
Last September, the British government said No funds are provided In order to rebuild the stadium in time for the 2028 European Football Championship, it added that there is a “significant risk” that it will not be built in time.
The government estimates that the potential cost will exceed £400 million, although there are suggestions that could be close to £450 million to meet the specifications required by UEFA.
So far, only a small portion of the money is available, which is £62.5 million from Stormont executives, £15 million from the GAA and about £43 million from the Irish government.
“We are in the position of Casement, and I promised that executives agreed in 2011 to remain there.”
“I will meet with the Secretary of State soon and I want to see more sports funding in Northern Ireland.
“There are a lot of sports demands and I understand why GAA is frustrated.”
He said, “There is currently a huge gap between proposals regarding the euro and what is approved and what has been approved.”
