Council in link with Assumption Grammar School

Council in link with Assumption Grammar School

4 July 2012 - by David Telford

RATEPAYERS now have access to modern sports facilities at Ballynahinch’s Assumption Grammar School.

Down Council has signed a formal agreement with the school, paving the way for local people to use its outdoor 3G floodlit sports pitch, changing and showering facilities and indoor four court sports hall.

Local politicians believe the agreement reached between council and the school could be used as a template for other schools and sports clubs across the district to share their respective facilities.

Council chairman Mickey Coogan is delighted ratepayers now have access to the Assumption’s facilities, while councillor Stephen Burns, chairman of the local authority’s Recreation Committee, has thanked everyone involved in putting the agreement together.

Councillor Garth Craig said the initiative between the council and the Assumption provides sports facilities for the whole community. He said in the current difficult economic times when budgets are tight, “it makes good sense to open up these excellent facilities so that all sections of the community can benefit.”

He is also encouraging all sections of the community to use what he described as “these world class facilities” on their doorstep.

Councillor Walter Lyons is pleased that after lengthy discussions with the Assumption “it’s great to see the new initiative being rolled out.” He is also encouraging all members of the community to make use of the fantastic facilities on their doorstep.

Assumption principal, Paul McBride, described the agreement between the Assumption and Down Council as “an exciting time for the school and the community.”

He continued: “We have worked so hard at providing state-of-the-art facilities and creating a rich environment which can be shared with all in the local community and extended area. Hopefully, our partnership with Down Council will be a long and fruitful one which will continue to develop to create more opportunities beyond the realms of sport.

“We have taken education to a new level in Ballynahinch. The council and Assumption are now living out the concept of collaboration in a very meaningful way and can set in place a great trend for others to follow.”

During term times, members of the public will be able to use the sports facilities at the Assumption on weekday evenings from 5.30pm until 10.30pm. They will be available on Saturdays from 8.30am to 6.30pm and on Sundays from 1pm and 6.30pm.

Outside school terms and during holiday periods, the facilities will be available from 9am until 10.30pm, except at weekends when the above times apply. The scale of charges for the use of the various facilities is to be determined by Down Council.

To arrange a booking, contact the Ballynahinch Centre (028) 9756 1950.