Anger in Ballyhornan as pitch proposal is put on long finger

Anger in Ballyhornan as pitch proposal is put on long finger

4 November 2015

THE head of a community group which has been campaigning for a new 3G sports pitch in Ballyhornan has expressed concern the proposed development has been given the “lowest possible priority.”

The Ballyhornan Community Association is behind ambitious plans for the floodlit pitch which will also feature modern changing accommodation. It is due to be located close to the village’s existing community hall.

The pitch proposal is being considered for funding under the Social Investment Fund which is being administered by the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister. However, it emerged last week that the Ballyhornan scheme has been given the lowest possible priority.

Ballyhornan community group chairwoman, Patricia Curran, said its members have been working on the new pitch proposal for almost three years, with the Downpatrick-based Celtic Bhoys soccer club which is keen to make the new facility it’s home base.

“We have been working on this project since 2012 and believed that our scheme was a high funding priority. We submitted our economic appraisal at the start of the year and have already £250,000 in funding in place.

“The money we have secured to date has been provided by the local council and the landfill tax scheme. We had hoped to secure an additional £67,000 from the Down Rural Area Partnership but could not find match funding and this money was lost. We hoped the Social Investment Fund would have provided us with the cash we needed so work could begin on the new pitch.”

Mrs Curran said the community group is working with South Down MP Margaret Ritchie who has raised her concerns about the funding issue with the First and Deputy First Ministers.

She continued: “We also plan to contact our MLAs to seek their support to secure the funding we need to get this scheme up and running. The MP has also raised the funding issue with the Secretary of State and we are hoping for a positive outcome.

“The Social Investment Fund was set up to make life better for people living in targeted areas of poverty, unemployment and physical deterioration. We have no doubt Ballyhornan meets this criteria.”

Mrs Curran said the community group hopes it can secure the money it requires to get the 3G pitch project up and running as soon as possible.

A spokesman for Celtic Bhoys said the club shares Mrs Curran’s frustration and that of all those associated with the project.

“We have 14 teams from youth level right up to senior level and we also have a ladies team. It would be our plan to use the 3G pitch for training and for the senior teams to play their home games on the 3G surface in Ballyhornan.” he said.

“We hope the funding that is required to deliver the new pitch will be found to provide a much-needed facility for the people in the Ballyhornan area and local sports clubs,” the spokesman added.