Newry Mourne & Down District Council has submitted an application to Sport NI for the Multi Sports Facility Fund to develop a multi sports hub at Donard Park. The proposed facility will replace the existing changing rooms and will include an indoor sports hall and squash courts, as well as the existing outdoor facilities.
As part of the application process, NMDDC is required to undertake consultation with existing and potential users of the existing outdoor and proposed indoor facilities. We are required to qualify existing usage and potential future demand, as well as impact on participation in sport by everyone.
Mourne’s Councillor Laura Devlin has supported the consultation effort and said: “I fully welcome this application to Sport NI. The greater Newcastle area has a huge demand for sporting facilities and I would be delighted to see this application approved.
“Council appointed a consultant last year to examine the need for such facilities in the town and to identify potential sites. As we know large sites within Newcastle are in short supply so a more piece meal approach is our only way forward. So if we can secure this Donard Park pavilion project in tandem with a split site approach across the rest of the town, we could provide what the people of Newcastle and the wider area with the facilities and services that we wholeheartedly deserve.
A Council spokesperson added: “We are hosting a series of information events at the Newcastle Centre on the following dates and times:
Monday 4 March – Donard Room.
17.00 – 18.00 18.00 – 19.00 19.00 – 20.00 20.00 – 21.00.
Tuesday 5 March – Meeting Room.
17.00 – 18.00 18.00 – 19.00 19.00 – 20.00 20.00 – 21.00.
“It is important that we gather the views of as many clubs and groups as possible so please try to attend one of these sessions if possible. The purpose of the workshop is to provide information about the proposed project and to discuss how to gather the information needed to prepare a Sports Development Plan for the facility.
“Each session will last no more than one hour. Please confirm which session you plan to attend as places at each are limited. Also when confirming attendance please let us know what type of facility you currently use or are planning to use (eg sports hall, pitch, etc)
If you have any questions please contact me or Derek Browne:
derek.browne1965@gmail.com
