Ardglass has need for synthetic pitch

Ardglass has need for synthetic pitch

23 January 2013

ARDGLASS Football Club has appealed for Down Council’s help to secure a state-of-the-art synthetic pitch.

Addressing a council committee meeting on Monday evening, Hugh Hart, secretary of the club, said the current facilities at The Meadow in Ardglass were losing them members.

Outlining how its three senior teams and two junior teams took part in various leagues coached by volunteers, he said the poor surface was making playing difficult.

“We have lost the girls,” he said. “We feel the same will happen to the others if we do not keep moving forward with our facilities.”

Councillor Stephen Burns agreed that the quality of the pitch was poor. He said it had potholes, was used by people on quad bikes and also for underage drinking.

Referring to his time playing football, councillor Burns said: “It is the most dangerous facility I have ever played on.”

Mr. Hart suggested Sport NI would support the project if Down Council came on board, but after club representatives left, a council official suggested the financial details were not as straightforward.

Mr. Patrick McCluskey, the council’s Assistant Director of Recreation and Community Services, said there was no letter of offer from the Sports Council.

He suggested, however, that there was other funding routes open to Ardglass Football Club.

The council heard that it would cost £70,000 to make the pitch safe and level but no estimate of cost for the proposed 3G/4G pitch was outlined at the meeting.

Councillor Eamonn Mac Con Midhe suggested council officers work with the club to secure a funding package and update councillors at future meetings.

Recreation Director Michael Lipsett said there was little to be gained if there was no funding availability and suggested the Rates Working Committee be asked to set aside £7,000 for a feasibility study.

Councillor Gareth Sharvin proposed the Rates Committee do so, also that the council’s Estates Department carry out immediate work at the site and that council officers meet with the club to discuss funding options. This was agreed by all members.

“We need to be a bit more enthusiastic when it comes to Ardglass,” he said.