ILEX urged to become involved in land impasse

William Lamrock of the YMCA made the call after it emerged the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) is still considering a request by Derry City Council to transfer the Drumahoe Playing fields to the local authority for a nominal fee.

"It has been going on for far, far too long," said Mr Lamrock. "There is a big issue here in that on one of the main arterial routes into the city you are passing this piece of ground and it's like a wilderness."

"It's easily recognisable as a sporting facility because of the goalposts but it has been allowed to fall into disrepair and action needs to be taken to get it back into sporting use," he added.

The land remains in the ownership of WELB a full year after councillors backed a proposal by the DUP's Drew Thompson to seek transfer of the land to the local authority. The land was last year valued by the Land and Property Services at 340,000.

Mr Lamrock said the ILEX regeneration company - set up in 2003 to develop and sustain the economic, physical and social regeneration in the city - could be called on to get involved.

"As a body that represents change in the city I would call on ILEX to get involved," said Mr Lamrock.

"From the YMCA point of view we would like it made available for youth sports.

"There are so many sports organisations in the Waterside who could avail of the grounds."

A spokesperson for the WELB told the Sentinel said: "Derry City Council made a request to the Western Education and Library Board to transfer the lands for a nominal consideration. This request is currently with the Department of Education."

And Education Minister Caitrona Ruane this week confirmed: "The former Faughan Valley school lands and property remain in the ownership of the WELB.

"Whilst Derry City Council has formally approached the Board expressing interest in acquiring the Drumahoe Playing Fields no decision has yet been taken by the Board in relation to this approach."

A spokesperson for Derry City Council explained that the matter is still at the negotiating stages with the WELB and that the Council remains committed to securing the site to provide green space and sporting facilities for the local community.