McGuigan excited by regeneration plans

Cllr McGuigan made the comments during Tuesday’s meeting of Council’s Leisure and Development Committee when members were asked to approve a plan to commission an expert view into prioritising need for regeneration across the new Borough.

Council’s Head of Prosperity and Place, Paul Beattie, told members that there is a need to “pull together remaining pieces of work” from the four legacy authorities of Coleraine, Ballymoney, Limavady and Moyle.

Ballymoney Cllr Ian Stevenson asked: “How do you prioritise need?”

Mr Beattie replied: “That’s the essence of this piece of work.”

He added that the commissioned work would look at issues like footfall, dereliction, revisiting of Masterplans.

Cllr Philip McGuigan said he was excited by the plan.

“One of the things we are seeing as new councillors is the potential of being in a bigger area with bigger powers.

“This will be how we are judged as councillors.”

It was agreed unanimously to proceed with the work which will cost a maximum of £8,000.

Cllr Philip McGuigan has replaced his party colleague Benbradagh councillor Dermot Nicholl on the Causeway Coast and Glens Council’s Leisure and Development Committee.

‘OPEN’ING UP INVESTMENT

The town of Portrush stands to make gains from staging The Open golf championship for 30 or 40 years after the event has happened.

That was the message Causeway Coast and Glens Council members heard during an update on the regeneration strategy for the town.

“This is not about today or tomorrow but about the next decade and the next decade,” said Alan Jeffers, Portrush Regeneration Project Manager. “It is the key that unlocks funds from central government. It is not about a deadline of 2019 and The Open. This is about momentum and legacy.”

Cllr Philip McGuigan said: “Having watched Shane Lowry win the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the amount of publicity that was generated from that, The Open is ten levels above that.

“This island has produced some great golfers and we are lucky that we can showcase our golf courses too. We will be the envy of everyone in 2019. Soccer has the World Cup, cycling has the Tour de France and golf has The Open, this is a huge opportunity.”