Laura Devlin, SDLP Councillor for The Mournes and Vice-Chairman of the Active Health Communities Committee raised the ongoing issue of the need for a running track at last night’s meeting held in the Downshire Civic Centre.
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Runners from many clubs queuing up to support the development of a new athletic track in Down district.[/caption]
Cllr Devlin said: “I received an invitation to meet with a working group comprised of East Down Athletics, Murlough Running Club, Newcastle Running Club and Crossgar Harriers on the need for an athletics track in the area.
“These clubs have approximately 600 members in total with the potential to take on many more in their junior sections. The work that these volunteers do, particularly with the Youth Groups is outstanding and something that we as a Council should be supporting and see as a priority.
“All of the Committee were invited, however, I was the only Councillor who attended representing the SDLP. Members present were deeply frustrated at the lack of progress on this issue. And the lack of attendance from elected members at this meeting compounded that.
“I was asked to report their frustrations back to the Active and Health Communities Committee which I did tonight.
“At tonight’s meeting , I asked for an Officer from the Council to engage with this working group in terms of the Council’s Facilities Strategy and also to advise on possible external funding avenues which this group could avail of in order to further their aim of a running track in Down.”
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