Ards Sports Development Capital Grant Programme Opens Next Week
Ards and North Down Borough Council’s Sports Development Capital Grant Programme will be open for applications on Monday 3 April with £45,000 of financial assistance being made available to eligible sports clubs for the delivery of capital projects in the Borough.
The funding is available for the 2023/2024 financial year and can award up to 50% of eligible capital costs, with a maximum award of £5,000 in respect of any one project.
Grants are available for capital expenditure such as facilities or equipment, defined as “expenditure for technical assistance and/or purchase, improvement, restoration and construction of an asset directly related to the applicant organisation”.
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Karen Douglas, said: “The Sports Development Capital Grant Programme provides all eligible sports clubs in Ards and North Down an opportunity to further develop their clubs.
This assistance can help ease the financial burden of purchasing essential equipment, for example, enabling them to offer more opportunities and attract new members.
“Sport helps people stay fit and healthy, and encouraging people to take part is one of the Council’s priorities. Supporting clubs through the Capital Grant Programme helps to ensure that our local sports scene continues to grow and gives our residents increased opportunities to take part.”
Lough Cuan Bowmen Club recently purchased new equipment after a successful application to the Sports Development Capital Grant Programme. Mark Young, of Lough Cuan Bowman Club, said: “We showcased the new equipment that the club was able to purchase through the Sports Development Capital Grant at a recent club evening.
“The archers were thrilled to display their new bows, arrows and other equipment that the grant has enabled them to purchase.
“We are now very confident that we will be able to offer more opportunities to individuals and groups to sample what archery has to offer, both within the Borough and further afield.”
Capital Grant Applications will be open from midday on Monday 3 April until midday on Monday 31 July.
Applications will be assessed in August 2023 and presented to Council in September 2023. Notification to sports clubs will be in early October following Council ratification.
Programme guidance and criteria, together with the programme application form, are online at:
leisureardsandnorthdown.com/sports-development/sports-grants.
Alternatively, email:
sportsdevelopment@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
or contact the Sports and Recreation Development Officer, Robert Geary, on 07920 187819.
