Community Welcomes Funding For Lisbane Play Park Upgrade

A local community group has welcomed confirmation of funding for a new-look play park. Lisbarnett and Lisbane Community Association (LLCA) has secured funding of close to £30K from the Down Rural Area Partnership (DRAP) and a further £10K from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to modernise facilities at the Lisbane play area, with work set to be carried out by Ards Borough Council in early 2014.  Welcoming the news, Chair of the Council’s Development Committee, Councillor Trevor Cummings, said: “The community association has worked long and hard to receive funding to improve the play area and, combined with the Council’s contribution to evidence the need for increased play opportunities, this means that very soon, children of the village and their carers will be able to take full advantage of the equipment. All praise goes to the association for their tenacity and patience”. A spokesperson for the LLCA said: “We are delighted with the news that all our efforts to secure funding have been successful. This project came about as a direct result of feedback into our village plan with better play facilities being highlighted as one of the needs in an area with a growing number of children and young people.” The play area is expected to be completed by mid-2014.