A definite timetable must be set out for redeveloping Windsor Park, Ravenhill and Casement Park to end uncertainty among fans, Stormont's sports minister was told on Thursday.
Supporters of football, rugby and gaelic games will continue to lose out until the three governing bodies are in a position to upgrade their facilities, MLA David McNarry warned Nelson McCausland.
Consultants hired by Mr McCausland`s department are working with the organisations to finalise plans for modernising Windsor Park soccer stadium, Ravenhill rugby ground and the GAA`s Casement Park in Belfast.
The government is diverting £110m from the ill-fated Maze multi-sports stadium venture to support the redevelopment of the three existing venues.
Mr McNarry challenged the DUP minister when he told the culture, arts and leisure committee that he was not certain when the consultants - who are being paid £70,000 - would complete their work.
"The fans out there, the spectators, they are very anxious that they have something to look forward to," the UUP Strangford representative said.
"Are we talking about next year, the year after? Because you are governed by budget and the end of the Assembly is next year, so is it going to be in the lifetime of the Assembly that you think you might be able to give a date?"
Mr McCausland insisted the consultants are close to finalising the plans and stressed the importance of getting the proposals right, even if that takes some extra time.
"I am not anticipating that the consultants are going to take that much longer, but I wouldn't want to tie myself down to a week or a month," he said.
"It is all dependent on the engagement between the sporting bodies and the consultants. It's not entirely down to the consultants, it's also down to the sporting bodies in terms of them providing the right information, getting their own vision, their own structures in place."
Under the draft proposals, the Irish Football Association is hoping to upgrade the antiquated Windsor Park to a 20,000 all-seater facility.
Ulster Rugby wants to increase capacity at Ravenhill to 15,000 while the GAA is planning a major modernisation project at Casement, with a potential 60,000 capacity.
Mr McCausland said that supporters he had spoken to had indicated they were satisfied with the pace of the process.
"The work is very well advanced but it is not yet completed and it is something that will be completed as soon as possible," he said.
One of Mr McCausland`s officials said that he did not envisage that major capital work would begin during the coming financial year.
"It will probably be 2011-12 before we get into serious spend," he said.
Mr McCausland also confirmed that a private sector proposal to build a stadium in east Belfast is being examined by the consultants.
However, he stressed this was not the preferred option of any of the three sporting bodies and if it was given the go-ahead it would be on the basis of it being a junior stadium.
© Press Association