Campaign for Crossgar hall

Campaign for Crossgar hall

16 May 2012 - by David Telford

WORK on an economic appraisal on various options aimed at delivering a new community facility in Crossgar could start shortly.

Down Council has been asked to find the money to finance the appraisal which has been welcomed by a number of local politicians who say there is a pressing need for a new community facility in the village.

A number of possible sites have been identified, including the St. Colmcille’s High School campus at the Killyleagh Road, with local sports clubs suggesting a new 3G soccer pitch with floodlights should be provided at the Kilmore playing fields as part of any new investment strategy.

A series of meetings have been held in Crossgar to discuss the provision of a new community facility with the various ideas included in the feasibility study.

Suggestions on location and what the new community facility should deliver will now be the subject of a detailed economic appraisal, with the news confirmed at Monday’s meeting of Down Council’s Recreation and Community Services Committee.

Committee chairman, Councillor Mickey Coogan, said that if funding sources could not be found, Down Council should provide the cash for the proposed new facility.

Councillor Billy Walker said there was a mistaken view in Crossgar that funding of £2.8m was available for the new centre. He said this figure was quoted in the feasibility study, but no cash was available.

He added: “Projects such as the one proposed for Crossgar take time to deliver, but we need to reaffirm our commitment to the people in the village that we are fully supportive of a new community facility being provided for them. Once the site has been agreed the work to identify potential funders can begin.”

Councillor Terry Andrews said Crossgar “has been crying out for a new community facility for years.”

“Due to the expansion of Crossgar, suitable sites for a new community centre have vanished under a sea of concrete and housing and the number of suitable locations is limited.”

Councillor Maria McCarthy said she was pleased the council was taking further steps towards to the delivery of community facilities in Crossgar and highlighted the importance of sticking to a tight time frame to ensure funding was earmarked and the facilities delivered.

Miss McCarthy confirmed the issue will be one of the issues discussed at a public meeting in the village tomorrow night when South Down MP Margaret Ritchie hosts one of her road shows at the community centre at Downpatrick Street. The meeting starts at 7.30pm.