Work on new Saintfield centre to start in 2014

17 July 2013

IT’S all systems go for Saintfield’s new community and leisure centre.

Down Council has secured the former B. J. Caraher site at the Belfast Road to provide the new £4m facility and it’s hoped contractors will be on site early next year.

Planning permission for the multi-million pound development has also been secured and consultants appointed to design the new facility are to work closely with local people, sports and community groups.

The new centre will be delivered by Down Council in partnership with Saintfield Development Association, the Department of Education, South Eastern Education and Library Board and Saintfield High School.

It has also been confirmed that Down Council and the Saintfield Development Association are pursuing further grant applications and funding opportunities with Sport NI and a number of other sources.

In addition to the new centre having four and three-court sports halls, it will have a stage for community arts performances and local talent promotion, community and youth rooms, a fitness suite, changing facilities, entrance foyer and communal areas.

It will also have dedicated facilities for Saintfield High and other schools in the area. Staff based at the new centre will include SEELB youth workers, Down Council sports development, culture and arts officers, who will for the first time develop comprehensive community, sports, culture, arts and youth development plans for the town.

Down Council chairwoman, Maria McCarthy, said securing the site for the eagerly-awaited new centre represents a “great day for Saintfield.” She said the need for a community facility has been recognised for some time and was recently highlighted in the town’s community plan.

Councillor McCarthy said the local authority started developing proposals for the Saintfield facility almost a decade ago.

“While it has taken a long time for the dream of a new centre to be realised, the central location, with easy access for public transport and those on foot, together with its close proximity to Saintfield High School, means a better site could not be found,” said the chairwoman.

“Down Council is delighted the new centre will be delivered through a structured partnership approach with a number of other bodies, including local community and sports groups. All of the partners will have dedicated facilities within the new building.”

Councillor William Dick said securing the Belfast Road site represents “another milestone” in the drive to provide the new centre which will deliver the facilities locally people want. He said local people will have a key input into the design process and is pleased help with financing the centre will come from a variety of sources.

Councillor Robert Burgess is delighted the building has been secured and also highlighted the importance of local people being involved in the design process. He also thanked everyone who supported the effort to deliver the much-needed new centre for the people of Saintfield.

Rowallane councillors Billy Walker and Terry Andrews said politicians were “united and determined” to provide a new community and leisure centre in Saintfield and were delighted to work alongside the town’s development association to help the people of the town realise their goal.

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