Concerns raised over lack of planned GAA pitches in Lisburn and Castlereagh
Concerns over a council’s lack of planned GAA pitches have been raised ahead of a major sport budget development.
Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council’s communities committee agreed to release the Draft Pitch Strategy (2026 -31) for public consultation over the summer months.
A report before the chamber has identified “support for development of one full-size GAA pitch” with in the next five to 10 years.
A council officer said: “Investment in our current stock has been considered, and we know that our grass pitches require continual maintenance along with 3G pitches.”
The council paper has also identified potential for shared facilities with schools and community centres set to benefit.
The officer added:
“Finances will be attached to the strategy once the public consultation is complete with the final version presented to members in autumn 2026.”
The pitch strategy report shows just under 130 GAA teams in the district across four codes of Gaelic games with over 3,000 players.
As a comparison football remains the highest played sport, with more than 6,000 participants.
Councillor Gary McCleave said: “The paper shows that the priority over the next five years is for just one GAA pitch even though there are 3,000 members, how can that be?”
Councillor Ryan Carlin added: “I am also surprised that there is only one GAA pitch and four soccer pitches, it seems a bit low to me.”
A council director responded: “We have been able to identify the need for one Gaelic pitch.
“The big piece is around community plans and shared use of schools as we need to look at maintenance of lands.”