Appeal for residents to air views on £3m sports plan

Appeal for residents to air views on £3m sports plan

9 November 2016

PEOPLE in Crossgar are being urged to have their say on the future of the village’s proposed new £3m sports complex.

A series of consultation events are being held across the district to help produce a sports facilities strategy for Northern Ireland and its 11 super councils with the work being undertaken by Strategic Leisure Ltd on behalf of Sport NI and the local authorities.

The new strategy will identify the need for local facilities and recommend locations for the development of new or refurbishment of existing facilities.

One of the first consultation events was held in Downpatrick last week, but there was some concern that during an overview of various proposals for potential new sports facilities across the district, the cross-community Crossgar scheme was not mentioned.

Rowallane politician, Billy Walker, who queried why the Crossgar proposal did not feature in schemes outlined at the Downpatrick event, said he was informed that no one from the village responded to the initial appeal by those in charge of the strategy to outline future schemes in their area. However, he said there is still plenty of time for people in the village to have a key input into the consultation process.

The former Down Council made £15,000 available to finance an economic appraisal into the proposed scheme, with a site adjacent to St Colmcille’s High School in the village identified as the preferred location. The findings of the economic appraisal were subsequently endorsed by senior council officials.

Councillor Walker said it is important community and sports groups in Crossgar get involved in the consultation process to flag up the importance of the proposed new facility in the village and ensure it features in the new sports strategy which is being drawn up.

“A lot of work has gone into the proposed new sports facility and there is overwhelming support for its provision in the village,” he declared. “It is vital people in Crossgar make their views known to those who will draw up the new strategy as soon as possible.

“I will continue to lobby for this much-needed new facility but those in Crossgar who want to see it provided must get involved in the consultation process.”

Crossgar Youth League official, Mr Paul Teggart, said it is important the new sports facility is provided in the village and hopes it will feature prominently when the new strategy is unveiled and that the redevelopment of an old playground at the Westlands estate will be included as well.

“A lot of preparation work has gone into the development of the new sports complex which will meet the needs of a lot of clubs and organisations in the area. The village cannot afford to miss out on this development,” he added.