Dervock plans move forward

Council officers were told by a NI Rural Development Programme representative to “address the lack of progress” on the legacy project from Ballymoney Borough Council “as a matter of urgency”.

Plans to rebuild the Community Centre and upgrade playing surfaces were initiated by the former Council with a planned investment of £1.036 million.

In July 2015, Dervock FC and members of the local community approached Causeway Coast and Glens Council, voicing their concerns that the planned project had not progressed satisfactorily.

Council have now put in place arrangements to make sure that Community Centre is immediately available for use and will facilitate a user group of representatives to agree a plan to develop the role of the community within the facility.

Council officers also met with Dervock FC and agreed that they were not fit for purpose.

It was agreed that both pitches be increased to the maximum size available on the site to make them comparable with others in the borough.

This plan will be phased in to allow the team to continue to play home matches without disruption.

Floodlights will be moved from Dervock, most likely to Riada playing fields, to allow the playing surface to be increased.

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the Council’s Leisure and Development Committee, Council Head of Sport and Well-being Wendy McCullough said that she would try to ensure that Dervock got the biggest pitch possible.

She added that she was “happy to investigate all alternatives to try to maximise space to allow the club to grow”.

Regarding floodlights, she said, a business case would have to be brought before Council.