Residents hitting the roof over stray cricket balls

Over the course of the summer months a small number of complaints had been made to the council regarding damage caused by cricket balls. They were raised by residents living in the housing development adjacent to the fields.

Cricket was played at this location on Saturdays during the summer months by Waringstown and Lurgan cricket clubs.

Council officers had been informed that cricket balls, which had been struck beyond the park boundary, had allegedly damaged roof tiles. It had been suggested that further damage may be caused if some form of barrier was not installed.

At a meeting of the council’s leisure services committee officers informed elected members that there was a redundant ball stop fence that will become available due to the refurbishment works taking place at Portadown People’s Park which could be utilised at the Gordon Playing Fields.

The installation of the fence would require planning permission and officers proposed to install the fence once planning permission had been obtained.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Catherine Seeley queried if this had been included within the budget. Councillor Darryn Causby said that he assumed it was not.

The Director of Leisure Services advised that officers had known there was a potential for this to be raised and that the work needed to be completed. He also said thatmembers had been heavily lobbied with regard to this issue.

A spokesman for Lurgan Cricket Club said it was the first they had heard of the problem but were willing to liaise with the council in finding a solution.

He went on to say the club merely hired the ground from the council

He also pointed out the club had lobbied for facilities to be improved but had been told no money was available.