You will be able to have your say very shortly when the consultation sessions roll out near you across South Down.
The Newry Mourne and Down District Council Sports Facility Strategy provides a framework for the future prioritisation, development and provision of sports facilities at local level, to meet identified community need.
The Strategy has been developed during a period of significant change in Northern Ireland (NI); the implementation of the Review of Public Administration (RPA), reducing council areas from 26 to 11 (from 1 April 2015), the introduction of Community Planning as a statutory responsibility of public bodies, and the re-organisation and restructuring of Governmental departments, roles and remit have all taken place, or are in progress.
It is therefore both an important means of contributing to the reforms outlined, whilst also representing a significant opportunity as a result of these changes.
This Strategy will inform the development of an evidence-based approach to strategic planning for, and development of, sports facilities at local level, to optimise their value and benefits. The restructuring of the District Council boundaries (Review of Public Administration (RPA) implemented on 1 April 2015 provides a unique opportunity, and some interesting challenges, to instigate, and instil, an improved strategic approach to sports facility planning in Northern Ireland.
The Strategy will consult with, and engage all stakeholders involved in the planning, development and delivery of sports facilities in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, to inform a coherent future approach, which will make best use of all available resources.
This is the final draft of the Sports Facility Strategy and the council welcome views from all interested stakeholders. This can be done by post, email, telephone or attending one of the consultation workshops.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, in partnership with Sport NI, is inviting all organisations with an interest in sports facilities to give their views on the future of sports facilities in the Council area as part of work to produce a Sports Facilities Strategy Newry Mourne and Down
A consultation forum will take place at three venues throughout the district with a focus on the District Electoral Areas (DEA’s) linked with each venue. Anyone is welcome to attend each of the sessions, the details of which are as follows:
Date: Tuesday 1 November 2016
DEA’s: Newry and Slieve Gullion
Venue: Newry Sports Centre, 61 Patrick Street, Newry, BT35 8TR
Time: 6.30pm for 7pm start
Date: Wednesday 2 November 2016
DEA’s: The Mournes and Crotlieve
Venue: Kilkeel Bowling Pavilion, Mourne Esplanade, Kilkeel, BT34 4DB
Time: 6.30pm for 7pm start
Date: Thursday 3 November 2016
DEA’s: Downpatrick, Rowallane and Slieve Croob
Venue: The Great Hall, Downshire Estate, Ardglass Rd, Downpatrick, BT30 6RA
Time: 6.30pm for 7pm start.
