An argument has raged as to the wisdom of locating a stadium in a sparsely populated area, writes David Adams
NORTHERN IRELAND Minister for Finance Peter Robinson has promised that a decision will be made on the future of the Maze/Long Kesh prison site before the end of May. Hopefully, this will end a long-running debate around plans to build a new "national" stadium there, for use by the GAA, the Irish Football Association and the Ulster branch of the IRFU.
The three sporting organisations signalled their support long ago, but the politicians have continued bickering regardless.
The political sticking point has not been the main proposal, but rather a Sinn Féin proviso that part of the old prison be retained as a conflict transformation centre and museum.
Initially the DUP appeared happy enough to go along with Sinn Féin, but have since backtracked in the face of some unionist opposition to the inclusion of this "terrorist shrine".
As if that were not enough, outside of politics another argument has raged about the wisdom of locating a sporting venue in a sparsely populated rural area that has little in the way of suitable road or rail links.
In all likelihood, Robinson will declare that a sports stadium at the Maze is a non-runner.
His decision will be the right one, and will have been taken mostly, if not entirely, for the right reasons.
When the prison closed in September 2000, the British government gifted the 360-acre site to the Northern Ireland Executive.
After a short time, Stormont went into suspension and responsibility for the Maze, along with much else, passed to the Northern Ireland Office (NIO).
It was from within the NIO that the notion of building a stadium on the site first emerged.
No sooner was it mooted than the rows about the location and the possible inclusion of a conflict transformation centre began.
Yet these entirely missed the point.
This was never about where we should put a new stadium, or what if anything should go along with it, the vital question has always been how to make best use of 360 acres of prime development land.
The stadium was merely a suggestion, albeit one heavily endorsed by the NIO.
In a few weeks, Robinson will drag the focus back to where it belongs - on developing a plan that will realise the full potential of an extremely valuable asset.
As a powerful symbol of hope and reconciliation, having soccer, rugby and Gaelic games sharing facilities on the former site of the prison made sense, but in every other respect, it makes none.
For the reasons already outlined, the area is simply not suitable. A major sporting complex couldn't hope to be economically viable.
Businesses, such as shops, bars and restaurants, would never locate to the "back of beyond" knowing they couldn't attract sufficient trade during the times (which would be most of the time) there were no matches taking place.
If a new stadium is to be built, it should be sited somewhere in Belfast. I say "if" because Robinson will likely point to another hard reality that has been lost in the debate - there is no necessity for a new stadium.
The GAA and IRFU were going to make use of anything that was on offer, but neither is in dire need. Although it must be said, the Irish Football Association is.
Windsor Park in Belfast is in such a sorry state of repair that the Northern Ireland national team may be forced to play forthcoming "home" matches at grounds in Britain.
Yet an obvious way around this is to use a fraction of the money earmarked for the building of a new stadium - some £70 million (€89 million) by the latest reckoning - to bring Windsor Park up to scratch.
Rather than sinking millions into a white elephant project, Robinson will be concentrating on how to extract economic benefit from the Maze site.
And that, as no doubt the American investors we are so assiduously courting would be quick to tell us, is the object of the exercise.
Robinson should recommend that a substantial portion of land be used for mixed (private and much needed civic) housing, with most of the rest for business and industrial use.
In this way, the people of Northern Ireland can benefit from extra homes and jobs.
The leasing and/or selling of land will give further tangible benefit to the public, providing the revenue accrued is channelled into healthcare provision, education, and the like.
A few of the old prison buildings will remain at the Maze under a preservation order.
Robinson could show that his decision to scrap plans for a stadium has been taken for the right reasons by acceding to republican calls for a conflict transformation centre and museum.
It would certainly ease relations in the Executive and, much like the Irish Government's development of the Boyne site, display a level of maturity. Not marking such a historical site would be just as wrong as building a stadium on top of it.