Donard Park to get new pavilion

Donard Park to get new pavilion

22 March 2017

NEWCASTLE’s Donard Park is set to get a new state-of-the-art, fully integrated sports hub.

The new £800,000 facility will replace the old pavilion that has served Donard Park for almost 50 years and is no longer fit for purpose.

Planning approval for the two-storey building should be confirmed shortly by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. It is hoped that work will begin on site by 2019.

This much-needed community facility is the brainchild of Andy Hall, secretary of Tollymore United Football Club, which will benefit from the project along with Newcastle Football Club, Newcastle Nomads Hockey Club, Bryansford GAC and Newcastle Athletics Club, among others.

The building will comprise six changing rooms, changing facilities for three referees, a medical room, storage space for maintenance equipment and an upstairs meeting room with a balcony. 

The scheme was first aired back in 2006 when the Tollymore club commissioned and submitted plans to develop new changing rooms at Donard Park.

Mr Hall described the process as a “long, hard road” and said he was glad that approval was finally imminent.

“We see the proposed new pavilion as a valuable asset that will be used by various organisations and community groups in the Newcastle area,” he said.

“It will also lead to the finals of some high profile soccer competitions being played in Newcastle.”

He continued: “We would intend that the meeting room would be used for a variety of purposes. It could also be used to provide hospitality for visiting teams.”

“The hockey club has also suggested that it could be used as a type of crèche on match days to increase playing and coaching opportunities for mothers involved in their club.”

Mr Hall added: “It has taken us a while to get to this stage and no doubt there will be even more hurdles to overcome, but we are prepared for any challenge.

“Donard Park needs and deserves new changing rooms and I am convinced that now is the time to get them.”