Work on £12m sports complex begins

SDLP Foyle MP Mark Durkan meeting football legends Alan Hansen and Kenny Dalglish at Westminster this week. Mr Durkan joined Labour MP for Liverpool Walton Steve Rotheram in solidarity with the campaign for justice for the 96 victims of the 1989 Hillsborough football tragedy.

Mayor Martin Reilly said it marked a new era not only for the Waterside area, but for the whole city.

“It will put us on the map in terms of providing state of the art facilities for judo, climbing and wrestling as well as sports development facilities and a dedicated Performance Development Centre including a Strength and Conditioning suite.

“It is a significant investment by Derry City Council in leisure provision for the public with state- of-the-art facilities for a range of sports. I am delighted that the build project is on schedule and on budget and look forward to see the project progress over the coming months,” he said.

The project has been made possible through major funding from Derry City Council with support from Sport NI and Department for Social Development (DSD). In addition to significant sport and leisure facilities the new arena will also be a permanent venue for cultural, entertainment and commercial events. This project is expected to open in the spring of 2015, offering new and improved leisure opportunities for everyone.