All three sports must sign up to the new stadium project

City of Belfast Stadium project manager Paul Durnien said the project to locate the stadium at the Ormeau Park could be ready for planning as soon as January.

"Every day this project is gaining momentum," he said. "We've a strong experienced consortium driving the proposal to deliver this project.

"They are working hard to deliver it on time and prepare a feasibility study."

The Ormeau Park site is one of two sites that have emerged in recent months as alternatives to the Maze.

The government are recommending that plans for a 42,000-seater facility at the Maze, costing �85million, and used for major football, rugby and GAA matches, goes ahead.

The other alternative is for the old Maysfield Leisure site near the Albert Bridge where the Belfast Chamber of Trade believes that a 30,000-seater stadium is a viable option.

But Mr Durnien, who has quantity surveying company, is not standing still.

"We will demonstrate that the Ormeau Park project fulfils the criteria necessary to bring the 'home of Northern Ireland Sport' to our proposed site.

The infrastructure will not cause our project traffic engineers any major concerns Paul Durnien

"New footbridges means the Ormeau Park site will offer unrivalled access to the entire population of Belfast and Northern Ireland

"These footbridges linking the Ormeau Park to the Gasworks site and to Shaftesbury Avenue simply mean that the walking distance will be literally 10 minutes from the city centre to the stadium."

The proposed City of Belfast Stadium is being built to initially accommodate a capacity of 25,000 seats with the option to extend to 35,000 seats as required.

The site will not occupy any of the park land currently used by the local community and the new stadium will replace and occupy the site currently housing the Ozone leisure facility.

"The infrastructure will not cause our project traffic engineers any major concerns," said Mr Durnien.