Fair treatment for Crossgar

SIR, — I very much enjoyed the report in last week’s Recorder about the meeting held at the Crossgar War Memorial to discuss a feasibility study compiled on behalf of Down Council into new sports provision in Crossgar.

During the meeting, a council official Mr. Patrick McCluskey, explained the cost of a new building would be in the region of £2.8m and that in addition to local authority funding, finance would have to be found from elsewhere.

A recent report in the Recorder  revealed the go-ahead was given by Down Council to build a new £12m leisure complex in Downpatrick and knock down the existing facility.

Would it not be more economical to upgrade the existing leisure centre in the town to ensure money is available for investment in other communities, such as those in Crossgar, Saintfield and Killyleagh?

Ratepayers in these areas deserve to be fairly treated and Downpatrick should not be the only town in the area to benefit from Down Council funding.

Crossgar ratepayers have been very patient, waiting for three years on a feasibility study on new sports provision in the village.

I hope when Down Council’s Recreation Committee meets in May to discuss the detail of the feasibility study, a decision will be made in favour of building a new sports complex in Crossgar.

Yours etc.,

PAUL TEGGART,

Chairman,

Crossgar Area 

Community Association.