Special reports

The document, authored by Sport Northern Ireland, has been circulated to MLAs on the Stormont Culture, Arts and Leisure committee.

The committee has been examining the issue after a BBC Newsline investigation last year revealed Sport NI chief executive Eamonn McCartan believed spectator safety had been compromised by the slow implementation of the Safety of Sports Grounds Order 2006.

The MLAs have been told to expect the legislation to be working by the end of this year.

For dozens of venues accommodating 5,000-plus to be upgraded to meet the new standards they will require collective investment of around £25,000,000.

The committee believes money that had been earmarked for the Maze stadium project should be diverted urgently, before a major safety incident occurs at venue.

The document released to BBC Newsline gives a snapshot of work required. We have extracted the key parts.

SNI (Sport Northern Ireland) observations on on-going safety issues at sports grounds which have applied for SNI stadia safety programme funding, January 2009.

Casement Park

Casement Park has probably the largest open terrace of any stadium in the UK. Although it does not contravene ‘red guide’ requirements it makes the venue difficult to manage. The vast majority of entrancing and exiting is directly onto the Andersonstown Road. This presents significant crowd management problems and requires that the roadway is closed to traffic at the close of each fixture.

The grand stand falls well short of recognised safety standards particularly with reference to access, egress and fire protection. An asbestos survey should be undertaken to this structure. It is likely that demolition and rebuild would be cheaper than refurbishment. The crush barriers require testing for structural loading.

Armagh GAA

Significant works remains outstanding including the provision of a crowd control point with cctv. Additional work to the seated area should be undertaken.

Derry GAA

Areas of standing terrace that did not comply with recognised standards are also being replaced. Further work will be required to upgrade some of the remaining viewing decks and improving access to the pitch in the event of an emergency.

Down GAA

Work is required to upgrade access/egress to the Canal end, access to the pitch in the event of an emergency and improving the viewing decks at the club house end of the venue. Much of the venue is open terracing that is difficult to manage.

Fermanagh GAA

Work is required to address a number of problems to the radial gangways to the seated area. The first aid point requires upgrading and further improvements are required to the access and egress arrangements.

Tyrone GAA

The crush barriers to the standing terraces require testing. Like many county venues the ratio of standing to seating falls outside the GAA facilities strategy.

Ulster Rugby Union, Ravenhill

The viewing accommodation in the grand stand does not meet recognised standards and is in a poor condition with a limited life span. An asbestos survey should be undertaken to this structure. The crush barriers to the standing area to the front of the grand stand do not comply with recognised guidance. The access/egress arrangements fall short of recognised guidance particularly for players getting on and off the field.

Ballymena United FC

The Warren Street stand requires a major refurbishment. The viewing decks do not meet recognised standards and the roof structures are corroded and require early attention. The standing area to the front of this structure would not meet with recognised guidance, with work being required to the crush barriers. The standing areas behind each of the goals do not meet with recognised guidance.

Cliftonville FC

The grand stand falls well short of recognised standards and is in a state of considerable disrepair – it should be demolished and spectators should not be given access to this area. The standing area to the front of the grand stand falls short of recognised guidance.

Crusaders FC

The standing terraces do not comply with recognised guidance and much of these areas are in a state of serious disrepair. Belfast City Council has served a dangerous structures notice on the all at the York Road end of the venue fearing it may collapse onto the pavement. The wall at the opposite end of the ground has collapsed twice in recent years. The pitch of the grand stand is steeper than is generally permissible and requires work to address this matter. The crowd control point is basic.

Donegal Celtic FC

Viewing accommodation consists of largely grass banks that would not meet with any standard. The small temporary stands again fall short of recognised standards. There is no crowd control point and access and egress arrangements are poor.

Glenavon FC

The grand stand, although complying with the requirements in place at the time of construction, would not meet with the latest good practice and thus provides uncomfortable seating. The covered seating to the opposite side requires alterations/refurbishment to meet recognised standards. The covered seating behind one goal requires extensive work to meet with recognised standards. The open end falls significantly short of safety requirements. The perimeter wall behind the seated end requires replacement.

Newry City FC

None of the standing terraces that comprise approximately 80% of viewing accommodation at the venue meet with recognised guidance. The wooden visitors stand has been closed due to serious structural and fire related issues.

Portadown FC

The grand stand falls short of recognised guidance and is in a state of disrepair. It should be demolished and replaced. Some work is also required to refurbish some standing viewing decks.