SDLP Down District Chairman Councillor Eamonn O’Neill said ratepayers are angry that government has axed funding for a state-of-the art cycling velodrome in Downpatrick.
Down District Council has already spent £50,000 in preparation for the velodrome following reassurances that funding for the project were ring-fenced.
Councillor O’Neill said, “People in Down District are extremely angry and annoyed at the government’s decision to cut the money.
“We were given reassurances that funding for the project was ring-fenced and, on that basis, bills of close to £50,000 have been run up by council in preparation.
[caption id="attachment_6397" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="An ariel view of the velodrome proposed to be built outside Downpatrick... now in mothballs. "]
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“This is a huge loss to ratepayers and will mean that we are back to square one in our attempts to provide new leisure facilities in Downpatrick, which were to be incorporated as an integral part of the velodrome plan.
“The money we were supposed to get from the Executive would have produced a tremendous impetus in the Down District area, attracting thousands of athletes from throughout the world as well as spectators. It would have been a massive boost to our local tourism industry creating direct and indirect widespread employment for people here with the spin-off for the local economy potentially generating millions of pounds.
“We want to know why the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure weren’t up front in letting us know that this funding would be axed. For them to keep us in the dark and only inform us of their funding plans at this stage, seriously compounds the difficulties that we are now facing,” he said.
However, in a statement from Sports NI, a spokesperson said that the generation of development costs by Down District Council was NOT protected by ring-fencing.
Sports NI responsible for facilitating the funding process, said, “Budgets for this programme were not ring fenced but part of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) budget decision-making process. The anticipated Budgets for the Major Facilities Programme were subject to the CSR budget decision making process.
“The stages were in the funding process were:
1. Application form and assessment to identify shortlisted bidders.
2. Outline Business Case and assessment to identify preferred bidders
3. Further development of Outline Business Case for Sports NI, DCAL and the Dept of Finance and Personnel approval + CSR budget decisions
“All projects were informed at each stage that they were proceeding ‘at risk’, subject to approval of their Outline Business Case by SNI, DCAL and DFP and availability of capital budget in a future Comprehensive Spending Review process. All applicants were aware of this.
“Sports NI did provide a revenue grant for applicants, to cover their costs of applying to Stage Two, which they could choose to apply for if they had financial need.”
The stand-off between Sports NI and Down District Council is at a time when DCAL Minister Nelson McCausland has announced (January 13th) that there was funding available for a cash injection for Stadium Development. (Read his statement below.)
Ritchie Angered By DCAL’s Response To Velodrome Issue
Margaret Ritchie MP said,“Minister McCausland’s decision to axe funding for the velodrome project in Downpatrick will not just result in the loss of a regional cycling centre for Northern Ireland, it will also result in the future provision of leisure service for the people of Down District being thrown into jeopardy.
“The proposed new velodrome was planned to include a leisure centre and swimming pool, to meet the leisure and health needs of the people of Down District, and replace the aging leisure centre currently located in Downpatrick.
“Minister McCausland’s refusal to meet or answer questions about his decision to axe funding for the velodrome project is unacceptable and he is ignoring the needs of the community of Down District.
“The SDLP will push for a meeting with the Minister to discuss this very important issue and the future of leisure service provision for the Down area.”
DCAL Minister Welcomes £110 Million For His Bid For Stadium Provision For Three major Sports
Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, Nelson McCausland has welcomed the publication of the Draft Budget 2011-2015 but acknowledged the challenges ahead.
Speaking today about the Executive Draft Budget, the Minister said, “I am committed to delivering reform across the remit of the Department to maximise on efficient and effective delivery by frontline services. Whilst there will be challenges, the four year Draft Budget has given us a sound basis for planning ahead. It is becoming increasingly recognised that the work of my Department is important to the people of Northern Ireland and to our economy, education and health.
“I am particularly pleased that the Executive has supported my bid for £110million to develop stadium provision for our three major sports. This is great news for Northern Ireland!”
The Minister also welcomed the expansion of the community sport programme managed by Sport Northern Ireland, where approximately £10million will be available during the budget period, and the new investment of £4 million in the creative industries which will support Northern Ireland in competing and succeeding on the world stage.
The Minister added, “Northern Ireland has seen unprecedented investment in the Arts capital infrastructure over recent years. I look forward to the completion and opening next year of the new headquarters for the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, the Metropolitan Arts Centre and the Lyric Theatre in Belfast. In addition, during a recent visit to Londonderry, I was greatly impressed by the refurbished Playhouse and Waterside theatres. Our Arts infrastructure has impacted positively on cultural tourism in Northern Ireland which I believe will continue to increase in the years ahead and has also contributed to Londonderry becoming City of Culture in 2013. I am also pleased to announce £4 million for the Creative Industries which will play a key part in our economic recovery.
“Unfortunately, my capital allocation does not allow at this time for other projects which I would have wished to take forward. This reduced investment will impact on plans for the major sports facilities as part of the 2012 Legacy and for the early refurbishment of Belfast Central Library.”
In conclusion, the Minister said, “Sports and arts in Northern Ireland are expected to benefit from an increase in lottery funding over the next four years and this, together with the allocation we have received in the Draft Budget, will ensure that the people of Northern Ireland will continue to enjoy a good level of culture, arts and leisure provision given the difficult financial environment.”
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