Unionists on Belfast City Council want a British gold medal winner to open a new leisure centre – in the heart of nationalist West Belfast.
The Council's powerful community and leisure services sub-committee has told its staff to source a suitable celebrity to be present at the official opening of the £6 million Falls Leisure Centre.
Unionists are insisting British marathon runner Paula Radcliffe cuts the ribbon on the multi-million pound facility. However, nationalists want Celtic manager Martin O'Neill to do the honours.
Lower Falls councillor Fra McCann explained the Celtic boss would be a much more popular choice.
"Thousands of locals would flock to the leisure centre to see Martin O'Neill, the same couldn't be said of Paula Radcliffe.
"He grew up in Belfast and would be the perfect choice.
"My party asked Council officers last week to try and get Martin O'Neill to carry out the official opening."
Ulster Unionist Davy Browne is the councillor behind the Paula Radcliffe proposal. He believes the marathon runner is a sporting figure who would be acceptable to all communities.
"Paula Radcliffe is a fine and very popular athlete who would be welcomed by all shades of the community.
"I don't think having her officially open the Falls Leisure Centre could be viewed as contentious.
"This isn't about politics, it is about welcoming a successful athlete to Belfast to open a state-of-the-art facility."
Whoever is selected to officially open the Falls Leisure Centre could also be asked to open the £9 million Grove Well-Being Centre in North Belfast in 18 months time.
This could present problems should Martin O'Neill get the Council invite given the Grove is based on the loyalist Shore Road.
The Falls Leisure Centre opened to the public in February amid a fanfare of publicity.
In its first week a record 8,000 people came through the its doors. Although the public have had access to the complex for eight weeks, an official ceremony still has not taken place to mark its opening.
A spokesperson for the Council said it had not formally approached anyone to perform the official opening ceremony.
"It would be inappropriate for the Council to comment on the identity of anyone it may be considering approaching," he added.
