Elite Facilities Programme
Overview
The 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is the catalyst to develop sport in every region of the UK and in Northern Ireland approximately £50 million has been earmarked to address some of the infrastructure deficit which has contributed to the underdevelopment of sports in Northern Ireland.
The Department of Culture Arts and Leisure has asked Sport Northern Ireland (SNI) to deliver this programme on their behalf.
The priorities of the Elite Facilities Programme are:
THEME ONE:INCREASED LEVELS OF SUSTAINED PARTICIPATION IN SPORT.THEME TWO:INCREASED STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE.
The programme also aims to:
- address the infrastructural deficit in Northern Ireland;
- regenerate urban and rural areas; and
- improve the image of Northern Ireland.
Elite Facilities Programme - Stage One
The Elite Facilities Programme (EFP) was launched in two tranches; the 50m swimming pool competition and the other Olympic/Paralympic sports competition. Stage One of both tranches required the submission of an application form that was subjected to an assessment against eligibility and assessment criteria by SNI.
The EFP was open to 21 Olympic sports, including:
1. Swimming;12. Judo/Taekwondo;2. Cycling (Trcak);13. Sailing;3. Tennis;14. Equestrian;4. Boxing;15. Fencing;5. Athletics;16. Gymnastics;6. Hockey;17. Shooting;7. Badminton;18. Table Tennis8. Basketball;19. Volleyball;9. Canoeing;20. Weightlifting;10. Cycling;21. Rowing.11. Cycling (Mountain Biking);
Stage one applications were welcome from either public, private, governing bodies of sport, club or community based organisations. Applicant organisations were required to meet the minimum technical, operational and high performance needs of the relevant sport's governing body/ies. Details of the assessment framework may be found in the Stage One Information and Guidance Booklet.
Elite Facilities Programme - Strategic Business Case:
Following Stage One of the Elite Facilities Programme, Sport Northern Ireland prepared a Strategic Business Case, which made the case for increased capital funding for elite facilities in Northern Ireland. This Strategic Business Case was based on the needs identified from the Stage One applications and made the case for an investment of £87M. The programme budget was initially and provisionally set at up to £53M, however Sport Northern Ireland is now pleased to note that the Strategic Business Case (SBC) for £87M has now been approved by the Department of Finance and Personnel (DFP).
(This figure includes up to £15M for the 50 metre swimming pool project).
However the SBC approval is not yet confirmation of the final budget, that is a matter for DCAL and DFP, in light of competing demands and available budgets, at the time of each Investment Decision (post Full Business Case). Up until that point applicant organisations must proceed in the competition at their own risk, although some directly attributable development costs can be funded retrospectively, subject to the necessary approvals.
Elite Facilities Programme - Stage Two:
Short-listed applicant organisations have now been invited to progress to Stage Two of this competition. The Stage Two applicant organisations are as follows:
Applicant Name
Brief description of facility type
Lisburn City Council
Basketball/Volleyball
Salto
Gymnastics Centre of Excellence
Belfast City Council
Velodrome - Multi sports
Grosvenor Grammar School
Fencing
Belfast City Council
Athletics Centre
Antrim Borough Council
Indoor Athletics
Carrickfergus Sailing Club
Sailing
Craigavon Borough Council (Outdoor Facility)
Rowing Straight/Canoe/Slalom
Adfinch Merchants Ltd
Velodrome
Meadows Equestrian
Equestrian Centre of Excellence
Coleraine Academical Institution (Indoor Facility)
Indoor training tank
Ballyholme Yacht Club
Sailing
Down District Council
Velodrome
McAleer and Rushe Ltd
Tennis Centre
(NB The 50m pool project has progressed to Stage Three)
The Stage Two application will serve two purposes; it will provide information for assessment by Sport Northern Ireland to identify preferred bidders and if successful, it will provide an Outline Business Case for evaluation by Sport Northern Ireland, the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure and the Department of Finance and Personnel.