Sugden welcomes £5.1 million sports centre

Sugden said: “I welcome the beginning of work on a new £5.1 million sports centre at Ulster University Coleraine.

“Coleraine has long been in waiting for significant investment and investment in our local campus strengthens Ulster University’s future in Coleraine.

“I have ensured a good working relationship with the new Vice-Chancellor, Paddy Nixon and he assures me of the University’s commitment to this area.

“He is keen that Coleraine becomes a university town rather than a town with a university on the periphery. I am impressed by his vigour to engage with the local community; building meaningful partnerships so that local people will have access to Ulster University Coleraine as well as students and staff.

“The university’s recent partnership with the Harry Gregg Foundation is enabling up to 5000 children and young people every Saturday to play sport, make friends and realise that higher education is on their doorstep and accessible to them.

“We need sport provision in Coleraine. Our current public facilities should be condemned. While nonsense politics remains on the local agenda, good public services are being delayed. I am pleased local people will have a new facility through the university and I encourage them to use it.”