Steveb
March 02-2006, 02:52 PM
The government is to spend £50m on "elite" sporting facilities for Northern Ireland ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
Sports Minister David Hanson said he hoped Northern Ireland could attract events in the run up to the games.
There are plans for an Olympic-size swimming pool, and it is hoped the proposed new sports stadium could host soccer games during the tournament.
Mr Hanson said that government's investment in top class facilities and the 2012 Games would ensure Northern Ireland sports men and women had the "best opportunity to compete on the world stage".
"Approximately £50m has been provisionally allocated for high priority sports infrastructure projects identified by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland" he said.
"The money will be allocated through a series of bid competitions which will be handled by the Strategic Investment Board Ltd (SIB) and the Sports Council.
"The first competition will be advertised tomorrow. It will seek expressions of interest from project promoters for an Olympic-sized swimming pool and the winning project could attract up to 75% of the capital costs."
Mountain biking has been an event in the Olympics for some years now, with BMX joining it soon. So far there is no comment on any MTB facilities being put in place.
Sports Minister David Hanson said he hoped Northern Ireland could attract events in the run up to the games.
There are plans for an Olympic-size swimming pool, and it is hoped the proposed new sports stadium could host soccer games during the tournament.
Mr Hanson said that government's investment in top class facilities and the 2012 Games would ensure Northern Ireland sports men and women had the "best opportunity to compete on the world stage".
"Approximately £50m has been provisionally allocated for high priority sports infrastructure projects identified by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland" he said.
"The money will be allocated through a series of bid competitions which will be handled by the Strategic Investment Board Ltd (SIB) and the Sports Council.
"The first competition will be advertised tomorrow. It will seek expressions of interest from project promoters for an Olympic-sized swimming pool and the winning project could attract up to 75% of the capital costs."
Mountain biking has been an event in the Olympics for some years now, with BMX joining it soon. So far there is no comment on any MTB facilities being put in place.