IRFU plan for 50,000 stadium to be studied

RUGBY: The IRFU handed the Minister for Sport John O'Donoghue a report from consultants Ove Arup which endorses the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road as a 50,000-seater national stadium at a cost of €250 million during a brief meeting yesterday.

The IRFU have the full backing of the FAI for the proposed new structure at Lansdowne Road which would satisfy not only the requirements of rugby and soccer but also offer a pitch big enough to accommodate GAA matches.

The development outlined in the Arup report would necessitate the complete demolition of the existing structure at Lansdowne Road and the construction of a bowl-like stadium which would cater for a capacity of 50,000, with the requisite corporate entertainment facilities.

It had previously been mooted that the East Stand would be left in situ but that is not to be the case and the redevelopment would require both the East and West stands to be demolished along with the terraces at the Lansdowne Road and Havelock Square ends of the stadium.

The pitch would continue to run in a north-south direction.

The proposed new stands at the north and south ends of the ground would be single tier and no higher than the existing terrace structure.

Philip Browne, the chief executive of the IRFU, confirmed: "We (the IRFU) had a short meeting with the Minister at which we presented the Arup report, number two (version). The recommendations made are for a 50,000-seater stadium of bowl design that can cater for rugby, soccer and GAA. The pitch will continue to run on a north-south axis and the projected cost of the new stadium is €250 million.

"The IRFU would have to make a sizeable capital contribution and would also contribute the site. The new stadium would meet the needs of rugby and soccer.

"It's a bold design that is a vast improvement on the current structure and much more aesthetically pleasing. It would have less impact on the neighbourhood."

He confirmed the IRFU had looked at other options, which were considered not to offer value for money.

"The last thing we wanted is to end up with a hotchpotch of a stadium, basically tagging on new bits to an old structure to get a new stadium. That wouldn't provide value for money or a long-term solution. It will be completely new and not unlike the Hong Kong (rugby) stadium."

The McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield also has a similar design to the proposed new stadium at Lansdowne Road.

Browne pointed out he had been in regular contact with his counterpart in the FAI, Fran Rooney, and that both sporting organisations fully supported the Arup report.

"It's the best site, the best size and the best design," he said.

The IRFU and the FAI will meet Minister O'Donoghue and Office of Public Works (OPW) representatives who will advise the Minister on the Arup report in the middle of next week.

Given Government procrastination to date, O'Donoghue will come under pressure to make a prompt decision and take his recommendations to Cabinet.

Two weeks ago, speaking in the Dáil, the Minister admitted he was unaware of "any report that comes down definitely in favour of Lansdowne Road," as the best site for the proposed stadium.

After yesterday's meeting that is no longer the case.

Speaking on the RTÉ main evening news last night, the Minister suggested: "I am going to put all the options to the Government and let the Government decide. There is no doubt that we need a second stadium with about a 45,000 capacity."

The Minister added it was an "urgent imperative that suitable, safe and secure accommodation is provided" for Ireland's qualifying games leading to the 2004 soccer World Cup.