Let there be light!

The astro-pitch – in the grounds of Moyle Primary, Larne High and Roddensvale schools – was officially opened just a few months ago and was warmly welcomed by local clubs which, for many years, had waited to have such a facility on their doorstep.

Funded with a grant of 468,000 from the Big Lottery, 210,000 from Larne council and 47,000 from the North-Eastern Education and Library Board, the multi-use pitch is earmarked for schools' use during the day, but also available to the community in the evenings and at weekends.

However, the Larne Times has learned that one of the main users, Larne Ladies' Hockey Club, may have to seek an out out-of-town location for evening training sessions, as the floodlights at the new pitch are still not connected.

Find out more in this week's Larne Times. We haven’t needed them due to the summer nights, but now the darker nights have started coming in again, lights are a necessity.

“We are looking at the prospect of having to train on the MUGA at the Town Park, the size of which is unsuitable, or to travel again to train, though it is unlikely there will be any slots available at Jordanstown at this late date.

“We will also be unable to play any more matches on a Friday night and we can’t offer far-away teams the 4pm slot on a Saturday during November to February, as it will be too dangerous.

“We are all just so annoyed when we thought at last something was going the club’s way and now feel it has been taken away again. We had high hopes this season for promotion and team morale was highest it has ever been,” the spokesperson said.

It is understood that the ladies have booked pitches in Carrick for the next few weeks.

A spokesperson for Larne council confirmed that the lead partner for the pitch at Greenland is the NEELB.

“They have been made aware of the problem and have advised the council that work to put right the system will begin in the coming weeks and in good time before the dark nights set in.

“In the meantime, Council has been keeping the local clubs involved fully informed and as a contingency have offered them the use of council's floodlit multi-use games area in the Town Park, if needed.

“It’s understood the work will be completed before present league matches will be played,” she said.

A spokesman for the North Eastern Education and Library Board said the board “is aware of the situation”.

“Some work still has to be carried out by Northern Ireland Electricity and our understanding is that the work is in hand,” he added.