Casement Park suffers another setback as Ulster GAA begin new procurement process

Ulster GAA have announced another setback to the Casement Park construction project, as they advised that Heron Bros Limited, its long-standing construction contractor, will not proceed to deliver the main works contract for the new stadium.

The latest setback in plans to transform the west Belfast venue into a 30,000-plus capacity stadium in time to host matches at Euro 2028 is due to restrictions imposed by the “public contract regulations.”

“We are determined and confident that construction work will commence in line with the timelines required to host the Uefa Euro championships in 2028,” read an Ulster GAA statement. “We are working closely with our partners in the Department for Communities (DfC) to progress procurement of a contractor using recognised frameworks for major construction projects.”

“Ulster GAA is bringing forward critical aspects of the construction programme to progress the project, at pace, during the process to secure a new main contractor in the coming months, including site clearance and a range of enabling works packages,” the statement added. “It has become clear that the restrictions of the public contract regulations prevent Ulster GAA from pursuing its preferred option of retaining and modifying the existing contract for the project.”

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Part of the public contract regulations requires that subcontractors are paid within 30 days.

A spokesperson for Heron Bros said: “Heron Bros Ltd is disappointed with the news that Ulster GAA has been left with no choice but to bring the current procurement process for the rebuild of Casement Park to an end due to technical restrictions within the Public Contract Regulations.

“We have remained committed to the Casement Park redevelopment project for more than 10 years and will now await details of any future procurement exercise before considering the potential for our company to be involved in any future bid to deliver the important stadium project.”

In September, Heron Bros’ joint-venture partner the Buckingham Group fell into administration. Last August the GAA, the Department for Communities and Stormont’s central procurement directorate undertook a “due diligence exercise” to gauge the implications for Casement of the Buckingham Group’s collapse.

At the recent Euro 2024 qualifier against Denmark at Windsor Park, Northern Ireland fans unfurled banners expressing opposition to the redevelopment. However, Uefa will not consider Windsor as a venue for five matches at the Euros as its 18,500 capacity is too small.

If Casement Park is not completed in time, Northern Ireland will lose its co-host status.

The Irish Football Association, one of five soccer bodies awarded co-hosting rights for Euro 2028, along with the FAI, have been approached for comment.

Gaelic games last took place at the ground in 2013, with planning applications in 2014 and 2017 stalled by costs soaring to £110 million (€127 million). The current costs are estimated at around €180 million.