Ministers Open New £2.6million Sports Facility In Downpatrick. Sports Minister Nelson McCausland and Social Development Minister Alex Attwood xa0officially opened (Friday 10th February)xa0the new Ballymote Sports and Well-being Centre in Downpatrick. The £2.6million project includes a full size, four-court, sports hall, state-of-the-art boxing and fitness area and a youth facility. It was funded from a number of sources including Sport Northern Ireland, the Department for Social Development, South Eastern Trust, South Eastern Education and Library Board, and Down District Council Speaking after a tour of the new facility Minister McCausland said, “The centre will provide opportunities for people of all ages and levels of ability, to participle in sport and physical recreation. It is a well known fact that sport improves health and well being and the location of this centre will also help to enhance a sense of community pride and belonging. “Indeed, increasing participation rates and developing better quality and more sustainable sporting facilities are key objectives of the sports strategy, ‘Sport Matters’, published last year by my Department in partnership with Sport Northern Ireland. Facilities such as the Ballymote Centre will go a long way to helping achieve those objectives.”
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He said, “The new Centre boasts a range of modern facilities including a dedicated centre of excellence for boxing, a four court badminton facility and championship netball court, state-of-the-art fitness suite and SEELB youth facility which will deliver a wide range of youth work programmes to the local community.
“The completion of this project sees the realisation of the futuristic Neighbourhood Action Plan, drawn up by the Flying Horse Estates Area Neighbourhood Committee and taken forward by community groups such as the Ballymote Community Project Ltd, the Flying Horse Community Forum and the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership.
“When first envisaged some eight years ago, the Ballymote Project was earmarked for £1.2 million, but through a combination of people power and joined-up government, the project which was led by Down District Council and the Ballymote Project Ltd Board managed to secure some £4.2 million from a range of sources including: Sport Northern Ireland, Department for Social Development, the International Fund for Ireland, Department of Health and the South Eastern Education and Library Board Youth Services.”
Speaking at the official opening, Councillor O’Neill said, “Down District Council is very pleased to be a leading partner in this exciting project, which represents the ethos of joined up government; partners and communities working together with collective ownership and responsibility.
“This really is a significant development for Downpatrick, and the completion of this visionary project marks the beginning of a new, brighter era for the people in the greater Ballymote area.”
The Ballymote Sports and Well-being Centre is now open to the public with a series of events planned from Monday 7th February until Wednesday 16th February to showcase the Centre’s facilities and activities. For further information please contact the Ballymote Sports and Wellbeing Centre on 028 4461 2919.
Ritchie Says It’s Time To Look Forward
South Down MP Margaret Ritchie said, “As someone who was deeply involved in bringing forward the plans and part of the funding provision for this facility, I am pleased to see the completion of the project which will be a much used resource in the Ballymote/Ballyvange/Flying Horse and Model Farm areas.
“I want to take this opportunity to welcome Ministers Attwood and McCausland to Downpatrick and to the constituency of South Down. – the ancient city of Downe and the cradle of early Christianity – and perhaps even – philosophical thought on the island.
“Significant monies have been invested in this health and wellbeing centre from DSD, DHSS&PS, DCAL, Down District Council and the South Eastern Education and Library Boards.xa0This project is an excellent example of partnership funding and working together with the local community through the Flying Horse Forum to develop a concept which would encompass the particular social, recreational and health needs of this community in Downpatrick.
“As a result, we witness today a health and well-being centre that caters for the Pegasus Boxing Club, Fitness requirements, netball, youth services and other elite sports.xa0That is a remarkable step forward and as a concept is an embodiment of what is required to take this community forward.
“It is important too that the facilities are promoted widely throughout the area; that they are accessible to all and that the Town’s Bus Service as well as the Community Transport Service is geared for that purpose.
“Now, we must look forward to what has yet to be achieved; the work that is on-going and what else needs to be done to fully provide for the needs of the local population.
“What is absolutely evident in all our campaigns for facilities and services has been the power of the community which has resulted in regeneration projects, new services and the provision that we see today.
“Equality of outcomes for the south-east are only possible if you have equity and equality in terms of the location of services.xa0xa0This will all contribute to the protection of front-line services; the vulnerable and will stimulate the local economy.
“There is an obligation on all of us to ensure that Downpatrick’s position as a leading town on this island takes centre stage in terms of the provision of tourism development, retail, education, health care so as to bring this area and the community into the future with innovative and forward thinking developments and planning.
Johnston Pays Tribute To Reynolds Vision
Down District Councillor Liam Johnston., a member of the Flying Horse Ward Community Forum, said, “This centre was the vision and dream of the late JJ Reynolds 15 years ago along with a number of supporters under his leadership.
“The Flying Horse Forum was set up and in 1995 it produced a strategy document which shaped the future. Back then, the Ballymore areaxa0 was deemed to be in one of the most deprived areas in the North.
“Peace funding pump primed development in this area and now we have our centre which he would be very proud of. So I would like to pay tribute to his early vision which has brought us here today.”
McNabb Says Centre Is A Great Step Forward
Dermott McNabb, Ballymote Project Board Chairman said, “I am delighted that this project has come to fruition. This is a marvelous example of working in partnership between the different agencies and the Forum and the Ballymote Board.
“The new centre is a great step forward for the health of the people of this area and for Downpatrick.“
Ruane: We need to provide best possible opportunities for the young
Speaking after the opening of the new facility, Education Minister Caitriona Ruane said, “As Education Minister I want to ensure that we do everything we can to provide the best possible opportunities and facilities for our young people. I am therefore delighted that my Department, through the South Eastern Education and Library Board, has contributed funding of £175,000 to this very exciting and worthwhile project. I recognise the importance of participation within sports and how taking part can promote inclusion, develop self-confidence and leadership qualities and help young people develop towards their full potential.
“I am pleased that the new Centre will include specific facilities for young people and that the Board Youth Service will have access to those facilities to provide activities for young people in Downpatrick and the surrounding areas.
“There is no doubt that the Ballymote Sports and Wellbeing Centre is a very welcome addition to services in the wider Downpatrick area and I
would like to congratulate all who have worked tirelessly to bring this project to fruition.”
The Ballymote Sports and Wellbeing Centre is now open to the public with a series of events planned from Monday 7th February until Wednesday 16th February to showcase the Centre’s facilities and activities. For further information please contact the Ballymote Sports and Wellbeing Centre on 028 4461 2919.]]>
