Proposals for 'community sports facility' at school

Mid and East Antrim Council said that it was working with two schools in the borough to secure external funding from Sport NI through the ‘Your School Your Club’ project.

St Louis Grammar School in Ballymena had their application endorsed by the council earlier this year, while Carrickfergus Grammar are in the early stages of their submissions.

If granted, the funding will enhance both sporting facilities.

A report from the December meeting of the local authority revealed further details of potential enhancements at Carrick Grammar, namely a "floodlit 2/3G facility for community use."

Referring to the plans, Councillor Peter Johnston said: “I am happy to propose the recommendations that we note the expressions of interest from the two schools in our borough.

“The sports facilities at Carrickfergus Grammar School are below standard and in much need of improvement, so it is imperative that something is done to improve them.

“The ’Your School Your Club’ project demonstrates the ability for council to act as a catalyst in bringing together statutory agencies like Sport NI and EA to get things done.

“When opportunities like this come along we are proactive as a council and we should do whatever we can to help schools and clubs avail of extra funding.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Education Authority confirmed that the proposals for CGS were still at the development stage.

"This work is at the early stages of feasibility review and no investment decision has been made," the spokesperson added.

"Any development options would be subject to business case assessment, partnership agreement with local council and funding availability.”