Saintfield to get new playground

Saintfield to get new playground

30 May 2012 - by David Telford

WORK on the eagerly-awaited redevelopment of the New Line playground in Saintfield is to start soon.

Community officials who have been working on the project for the past eight years are delighted funding has been secured from the Down Rural Area Partnership and the Department of Agriculture.

The playground — which is the only one in Saintfield — will be completely transformed with a range of new equipment and layout to meet the needs of local children.

Down Council owns the New Line play facility

but has agreed to hand it

over to allow redevelopment work to take place. The

local authority is also making a contribution towards final development costs which have yet to be confirmed.

Mrs. Susan Welsh, chairwoman of Saintfield Community Estates Ltd., said everyone is delighted the hard work by so many people over the years has finally paid off.

“We are so pleased that work on the new playground is going to start this year. We submitted our application for funding two years ago and have been informed that we have been successful,” she said.

“The current playground was built over 40 years ago and passed its sell-by-date a long time ago. While a number of minor modifications have been carried out, a new modern facility is required and this will be delivered soon.”

Mrs. Welsh said she is pleased the hard work of local people, including those who supported a number of fundraising events in recent years, has paid off.

“The people of Saintfield have made a financial contribution of around £5,000 towards the cost of the new playground and, like us, can’t wait to see contractors on site. The new play facility is certainly eagerly awaited,” he said.

The community official thanked the Housing Executive and Down Council for its help and praised local politicians for supporting the new playground campaign.

She added: “Most importantly, I want to thank the people of Saintfield for their patience on this issue. They have waited so long for the new play facility and richly deserve it.”

Community Estates Partnership official Mr. Raymond Cochrane also thanked all those who have supported the playground campaign and the funders who have come on board, while Councillor Robert Burgess said Saintfield “deserves its new playground.”

He added: “The tenacity, drive and determination of the Community Estates Partnership in helping deliver this new playground can’t be emphasised enough.

“They certainly got the

bit between their teeth and refused to give up. Their unwavering commitment has paid off and I want to publicly thank them for everything they have done on behalf of the people of Saintfield.”

Councillor Burgess said with funding for the new playground secured, community officials hope Down Council will now erect floodlights at an all-weather kickabout area which is located next door to it at the New Line.