Ardglass meeting to hear of Meadow plan

Ardglass meeting to hear of Meadow plan

20 February 2013

PEOPLE of Ardglass are being encouraged to attend a public meeting in the village this weekend to discuss plans to redevelop The Meadow area in the village.

The meeting is being held on Sunday evening at the Ardglass Youth and Community Hall and is scheduled to start at 8pm.

News of the public session comes a week after Down Council agreed to make £7,000 available to finance a feasibility study into upgrading the existing soccer pitch and explore the possibility of providing a new synthetic facility.

Ardglass FC wants to provide a new synthetic pitch at The Meadow and this weekend’s meeting has been organised to provide local people with an opportunity to have their say on what else they would potentially like provided at this location.

The meeting is being organised by local councillors Stephen Burns and Gareth Sharvin who are the respective chairman and vice-chairman of Down Council’s Recreation and Community Services Committee. They will be joined at the meeting by Ardglass FC officials.

Councillor Burns said Down Council has recognised the urgent need to address the problems at this part of Ardglass. He said it is vital people from across the village attend the meeting to give their views.

“We hope to correlate all the ideas for The Meadow and put them into a masterplan, as a template for drawing down funding. The people of Ardglass deserve first class facilities and I for one hope that this is the first step toward the revitalisation of this area,” he added.

Councillor Sharvin said the weekend meeting provides a platform for the Ardglass community to give its input into the development of village facilities.

“From the meeting we can then start to see the structure of what possible facilities can be included in the masterplan for The Meadow and for the people of Ardglass.

“The meeting will also allow those who have concerns or queries to have them answered by the various representatives taking part. This is a great opportunity and an exciting time for everyone of Ardglass to come together and work for the future of the village,” he added.

Mr. John Beattie, chairman of The Meadow Development Group, also wants as many people as possible to attend Sunday’s meeting.

“I would urge everyone to attend and add their voice and backing to the development of The Meadow playing field. This area is for everyone in the community and Sunday’s meeting provides the community with the opportunity to get involved in its development,” he added.

Councillor Éamonn Mac Con Midhe has also welcomed plans for The Meadow area. He described the current playing surface at the soccer pitch as “very poor” and is supportive of calls for a new synthetic pitch.

Councillor Mac Con Midhe wants council officials to work alongside soccer club representatives to address the state of the existing soccer pitch, but also examine the potential for providing a replacement facility.

He added: “Completing the feasibility study is the first step and I hope other funders will come on board to help the Ardglass club. I believe Down Council should prioritise investment in areas which do not have these ultra-modern sports facilities. Officials at Ardglass Football Club play a key role in their local community and it’s important their effort and commitment is supported.”