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www.irishfa.comSTADIUM
OPENING
The National Football Stadium at Windsor Park
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Infantino.
The launch of the redeveloped ground was staged
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against San Marino last month.
Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness were
among the guests at the opening ceremony hosted
by Irish FA President David Martin.
Mr Infantino said: “With this project the Irish
Football Association is both safeguarding its
historical legacy and reshaping its football home in
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“Windsor Park has been transformed into a
compact, world class stadium. It is a smart and
sustainable solution, and I am honoured to be here
in Belfast to see this project come to life.”
The FIFA President, who unveiled a plaque to mark
the occasion, added: “Congratulations Northern
Ireland. May the National Football Stadium at
Windsor Park be the stage for unforgettable
matches and moments for many years to come.”
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Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure (now
Department for Communities) provided the
£38million funding for the redevelopment of the
home of Northern Ireland football.
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involvement in the number one sport in the world.
And he added: “The National Football Stadium
is not just a building but a symbol of hope and
aspiration for the new Northern Ireland we are all
part of.”
The redevelopment project, which took 29 months
to complete, has seen three new stands – East,
South and West – built at the stadium, while
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been refurbished and a new covered walkway
added.
The stadium, which now has a capacity of 18,600,
features four hospitality lounges – named after
Northern Ireland football legends (Pat Jennings,
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It will soon feature an education and heritage
centre and a store selling Northern Ireland
merchandise. The ground is also now the Irish FA’s
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A total of 1292 people worked on the construction
project, from designers to builders, and between
them they clocked up 754,400 work hours. Around
1,900 lorry loads of concrete were used – circa
25,000 tonnes – as well as 186,000 bricks.