First sod cut for new Maghaberry games area

THE residents of Maghaberry are set to benefit from increased leisure provision, as the first sod for a new multi-use games area was recently cut.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd May 2011, 00:25 BST

This new state of the art facility is costing £314,000 to construct.

It will be beside Maghaberry Community Centre, with funding being provided by Lisburn City Council and the Alpha Programme.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Councillor David Archer, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure Services Committee, cutting the first sod, said: “With the recent considerable housing development within the Maghaberry area and the opening of the Maghaberry Community Centre in the last few years, I am pleased that the Council in partnership with the Alpha programme has been able to play a vital part in the provision of this much-needed community facility.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Alpha Programme for providing £50,000 to help finance this project,” he concluded.

The new facility will contain a sand dressed games area on which local residents can play mini hockey, soccer, basketball, netball and tennis.

Ms Tracy Russell, representing Alpha Resources Management commented: “We are pleased to be able to provide this funding to the Maghaberry Community Association as it will help provide a much needed and valuable sports resource for this growing rural community. This project will promote sport and leisure and as a result will get people active and improve their well-being as well as enhancing interaction within the local community.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Councillor Thomas Beckett, Vice-Chairman of the Council’s Leisure Services Committee paid tribute to the Community Association for their hard work on the project.Chairman of the Maghaberry Community Association, Mr Sam Riddick, welcomed what he desribed as ‘an important milestone’ in the project and acknowledged the work the local community has put in to bringing it to fruition.

The Alpha Programme, managed by Groundwork NI, invites groups to apply for grants that will be allocated to those organisations that can demonstrate that they have the ideas to transform their local surroundings for the better. For further information on the programme or to download the application form and guidance notes for submitting an application visit www.groundworkni.org.uk For further information contact 9

074 9494 or email [email protected].

Related topics:MaghaberryCouncil