East Londonderry MLA Claire Sugden has renewed calls for the release of government funding for the upgrade of Irish League grounds.
The Independent representative says the granting of planning permission for Coleraine's ground improvements, plus the recent record-breaking attendances at Irish Premiership matches, has underlined the importance of rolling out a £36m stadium programme.
The sub-regional stadia funding programme was rubber stamped last year but won’t be rolled out until an Executive is in place. It has led to the further delay of a project that has been stalled repeatedly over recent years.
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The Executive committed £36m to the development of local football stadiums in Northern Ireland back in 2015., while the initial proposals date back to 2011.
Ms Sugden said.: "Clubs like Coleraine are pressing ahead with getting their plans in place because they realise that there is a growing appetite among local football fans to see their teams play in person.
“This was plain to see with the record numbers attending matches over the weekend of August 13/14.
“They realise the importance of the links between community and club and how the infrastructure simply must be in place to enable people to watch their teams in comfort and safety.
“I have been calling for years for this programme to be rolled out. The Executive failed to do so when it had the chance and now the absence of the Executive is being blamed for the further stalling of this project.
“All the other stakeholders have done their part, yet we are still waiting for the Executive to get its act together and get this money out to the clubs where it will have a huge impact both within and beyond football.
“It is one more issue and one more project that is gathering dust while the current political stalemate continues. Communities need this resolved as soon as possible so that promises are kept and their vital community assets are supported.”
The ongoing delay was confirmed by Minister for Communities Deirdre Hargey last month, in a response to a recent written assembly question raised by Ms Sugden.
It was stated by the minister that, following legal advice, Executive approval is required for the updated proposals for local grounds.
At the time Ms Sugden described the news as a “serious blow to all those clubs that have been waiting years for this money.. to modernise and upgrade their stadia.”
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