The capacity of the proposed stadium was later adjusted to first 35,000 and then 38,000 and the organising bodies of all three sports – Irish FA, Ulster Rugby and Ulster GAA – agreed in principle to support the integrated scheme. In October 2006, demolition work started in preparation for construction on the site. In January 2009, plans to build the new multi-purpose stadium on the site of the prison were cancelled, with the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Gregory Campbell, citing a lack of support and concerns for a net loss to the economy. Discussion is still ongoing as to the listed status of sections of the old prison. The hospital and part of the H-Blocks are currently listed buildings, and would remain as part of the proposed site redevelopment as a "conflict transformation centre" with support from republicans such as Martin McGuinness and opposition from unionists, who consider that this risks creating "a shrine to the IRA". In January 2013, plans were approved by the Northern Ireland environment minister Alex Attwood for the site to be redeveloped as showgrounds as the result of an application by the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society with the objective of relocating Balmoral Show from its current location in Belfast. The site is now known as Balmoral Park. In October 2019, the European Union withdrew £18m that had been approved to develop a peace centre, due to disagreements between Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party. In April 2020, the former prison was reportedly under consideration for conversion into a temporary hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. References External links Maze Prison – MazePrison.Com History Behind The Wire BBC: Inside the Maze, a history Jonathan Glancey, New Statesman, 31 May 2004 Hell on earth CNN Special on the Maze Luxury hotel, equestrian centre, cinema complex – welcome to the new Maze – The Guardian newspaper article, 31 May 2006 Archaeology at the Maze/Long Kesh Site, Northern Ireland (Laura McAtackney) 1971 establishments in Northern Ireland 2000 disestablishments in Northern Ireland Buildings and structures in County Down Defunct prisons in Northern Ireland Internment camps during the Troubles (Northern Ireland) Lisburn The Troubles in County Down