AQW 1178/11


Mr Ken Robinson
Ulster Unionist Party
East Antrim


Tabled Date: 08/10/2010
Answered On Date: 18/10/2010
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure to detail the official capacity of each of the sports grounds identified in the Schedule to the Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009; and to outline any reduction in (i) terraced; and (ii) seated capacity from previous figures stated.


Revised Answer:
The table below details the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure’s (DCAL) official estimated capacity (ie number of spectators for which a sports ground has accommodation) of each of the sports grounds identified in the Schedule to the Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009. This official estimated capacity has not been changed or reduced since inspections were carried out in 2009 by Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) on DCAL’s behalf and in accordance with Article 4(4) of The Safety of Sports Grounds (Northern Ireland) Order 2006.
I am aware, however, that as a result of the introduction of the Safety of Sports Grounds (Designation) (No.2) Order (Northern Ireland) 2009, 17 of the grounds listed in its Schedule have, to date, been issued with safety certificates by their District Council under Article 4 (5) and Article 5 of the Safety of Sports Grounds (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. These certificates specify, subject to certain conditions being satisfied, the number of spectators that the owners of the venues in question may safely admit into the grounds including into terraced and seated accommodation. Information on the numbers of spectators that Councils have determined may be safely admitted at present into these areas is also set out in the table below.
Club
Estimatedofficial capacity
Estimated safe capacity as determined by district council
Estimated safe capacity: terraced accommodation
Estimated safe capacity: seated accommodation
Association Football
Ballyclare Comrades
5,333
1,800
1,262
538
Ballymena United FC
8,426
1,418*
-
1,418
Cliftonville FC
6,224
2,180
302
1,878
Coleraine FC
13,132
2,496
1,390
1,106
Crusaders FC
5,473
1,977
1,314
663
Donegall Celtic
8,283
2,254
1,479
988
Glentoran FC
26,556
5,056
1,065
3,991
Linfield FC
24,734
12,342 ( for domestic games); 15,602 (with temporary seating for internationals)
-
12,342 ( for domestic games); 15,602 (with temporary seating for internationals)
Newry City FC
7,949
2,275
1478
797
Portadown FC
5,804
2,227
-
2,227
Gaelic Games – County Grounds
Co Antrim GAA
32,282
31,661
24,699
6,962
Co Fermanagh GAA
17,202
14,602
8,470
6,132
Secondary Grounds
Dungannon GAC
12,969
3,945
3,945
-
Irvinestown GAC
27,084
1,880
1,880
-
Owenbeg Complex
5,046
300
300
-
St John’s GAC
8,508
865
502
363
Rugby
Ulster Rugby, Ravenhill
10,541**
11,951
7,934
4,017
*The District Council’s estimation of the safe capacity at Ballymena UTD FC is expected to be increased to 3,050 when the Warden St stand opens shortly
**This estimate was made in 2009 when part of Ravenhill Rugby Ground was under reconstruction and certain areas, under construction, had no accommodation (accessible or otherwise) for spectators. The safety certificate issued by Belfast City Council in 2010 post dates this estimate and the completion of these construction works.
It should be noted that SNI, which is responsible for discharging overseeing functions under paragraph 5 of the Explanatory Memorandum to The Safety of Sports Grounds (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, is carrying out assessments of all safety certificates issued by District Councils. Part of the purpose of these assessments is to enable SNI to evaluate the remedial actions, in terms of physical safety and safety management; ground owners may need to take to increase the number of spectators that they may safely admit into their grounds in line with their actual attendance demands.