It's Bertie's dream for the new millennium. A national stadium, located in the greater Dublin area, where "all key sports played on the island" will be accommodated. The Government decided yesterday to commission a feasibility study for an 80,000-capacity stadium which the Taoiseach said would be for all the people.
"This stadium for the new century will make an inspirational statement of what we are as a people as we face into the new millennium," he said.
There had been various proposals over the years, but none had come to fruition, and the lack of a world-class Irish stadium was all too obvious. "We are severely lagging behind in not having a modern stadium that we can all be proud of. We would dearly love to make this happen."
A number of Ministers heard details of the scheme for the first time yesterday. The financier and horse-race owner, Mr J.P. McManus, is believed to have pledged that funds of £50 million could be available for the project.
Mr Ahern said a high degree of support was already evident from the private sector, led by Mr McManus. He would not reveal how much had been pledged by Mr McManus, or the others involved. There are also thought to be a number of Irish interests in the US who wish to get involved. However, once built, said Mr Ahern, it would be a "State-run, State-involved stadium. Mr McManus and others would be giving a gift to the State".
A steering committee, chaired by the former Aer Rianta chief executive, Mr Derek Keogh, is expected to report, following the completion of the feasibility study, by June 1999. The optimistic estimate of completion is 2003. It is expected that the proposed stadium will be located on a large site capable of accommodating other structures, facilities and events, including rock concerts. It will have an athletics track, making it capable of hosting major meetings, as well as international soccer championships. The site would be about 300 acres and within reasonable reach of Dublin city.
The feasibility study will identify a sufficiently large site, recommend a venue, a design for the playing/performance area, an assessment of the potential income and the likely cost for the design, construction, fit-out and management.
Reminded of the £20 million given to the GAA for the development of Croke Park, Mr Ahern said he was glad the Government had made that contribution and he hoped that on occasion the GAA would use the new stadium.
The Taoiseach would not reveal an estimated cost for the project But considering that the Croke Park refurbishment, which did not require the purchase of any land, cost £110 million, it is estimated that a new national stadium would cost hundreds of millions, but money would not be the problem, he said. He said the project was a final effort to get the national sporting organisations together.
"I think this is probably our last chance. The people involved have a broad vision of sport, and a number can speak for more than one sport. The feasibility study will show us whether we are in cloud cuckoo land or not with this, or whether, as I believe, it is something we really need."