GAC to buy old primary school

In a recent newsletter the club committee stated their long and short term plans at the Scroggy Road site.

It stated, “As our current membership is constantly growing we feel the need for expansion is crucial for future development.

“As has been agreed by club members at the AGMs in 2010 and 2011 the club have agreed to purchase the Ballymacrickett school site for a sum of £65,000.

“This decision was taken unanimously by club members and much work has been carried out behind the scenes to secure this opportunity for our club including the sourcing of a £30,000 bank loan with the remainder of the money being drawn from club funds.

“This is a massive step forward for Glenavy GAC as this site may never become available on our doorstep at this favourable rate again.

“It is important to stress at this point that the school site is currently being viewed as a long term development option and will not replace our immediate needs.

“Our club’s current facilities main pitch, training pitch, clubrooms and car parking are currently leased from the parish leaving us boxed in on three sides with no room for expansion.

“Having spent the past 18 months researching grant availability we know that Lisburn City Council have informed us they cannot provide financial assistance in the form of a grant for development.

“This will require a fundraising drive from all to own outright, Therefore this purchase of the school site will present us with our own property and provide us with a viable opportunity for future development.”

It went on “In the short term the club’s primary goal is to develop our current training pitches into a three quarter sized playing surface.

“This will facilitate all juvenile games up to and including U16 level in both football and hurling. Initial figures suggest that this development will cost in the region of £100,000. This will require a fund-raising drive from all club members and prospective new members in 2013. Current club running costs to facilitate all our teams from U6 to senior are in excess of £40,000 per annum,”

The statement went on to say that they hoped that members of the club would help them move forward with their support.