Down GAA centre of excellence takes step forward

Down GAA centre of excellence takes step forward

20 June 2018

AMBITIOUS plans to develop a major new GAA sports centre at the former Ballykinlar army base have taken a step forward.

A planning application is to be submitted to Newry Mourne and Down Council by Down GAA to turn part of the former Abercorn Barracks site into a world class centre of sporting excellence.

Details of the hoped-for centre have yet to be released but it is thought the complex could include five floodlit pitches, a gymnasium, handball courts, an auditorium and a new administrative base which would become the main hub for Down GAA.

At a Newry Mourne and Down Council committee meeting on Monday, the council agreed to give up its soccer pitch land at the Ballykinlar base so it could be included in the Down County Board’s planning application. 

The lease for the pitch will now be surrendered back to the Ministry of Defence, who have been negotiating with senior GAA officials since the proposal was first made public last August.

A report presented to councillors at Monday’s Active and Healthy Communities Committee meeting indicated that the Down County Board also wanted to work in partnership with the council to ensure maximised community use for the proposed development.

Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick was among those offering them her support. “They have to be commended and supported,” she said.

Ahead of agreeing the proposal, SDLP councillor Gareth Sharvin sought assurances that current users of the soccer pitch will be helped to find another site.

Sinn Fein councillor Róisín Howell said she also welcomed news of the planning application development and also wanted to see soccer facilities developed locally.

“Down GAA, one of Ireland’s most successful and iconic counties have been patiently working for many years now to plan and deliver a world-class centre of excellence to nurture, sustain and develop gaelic games in the local area for generations to come,” she said.

“Looking across Ireland it is clear that many counties have developed world class training academies.

“Such academies not only improve the success of local teams they also improve the health and well being of young people in the local surrounding area.

“When completed this project will not merely cater for all Down GAA teams, but will be a leading health complex in the East Down community, a facility the region has been in need of for quite some time.

“Keeping the health and wellbeing of local people and communities in mind, with the loss of Ballykinlar FC pitch I would call on the council to review all existing soccer facilities in the wider Down area with a view to investing and upgrading existing pitches in neighbouring areas to help meet the needs of local communities.

She added: “The development of this GAA academy opens up the real possibility of developing the entire Ballykinlar Camp in the near future.

“The council should now play an active role in leading discussions with the MOD in exploring what is possible.”