Sun shines for unveiling of village projects

A number of improvement projects in Ballynure, funded by Newtownabbey Borough Council and GROW South Antrim, were officially unveiled on Wednesday, May 29.
Ballynure PS pupils Chloe Snodden, Grace Owens, Bradley Flynn, Rebecca McKernon and Aimee Strahan with Mayor Victor Robinson at the new and improved play area. INNT 23-516CONBallynure PS pupils Chloe Snodden, Grace Owens, Bradley Flynn, Rebecca McKernon and Aimee Strahan with Mayor Victor Robinson at the new and improved play area. INNT 23-516CON
Ballynure PS pupils Chloe Snodden, Grace Owens, Bradley Flynn, Rebecca McKernon and Aimee Strahan with Mayor Victor Robinson at the new and improved play area. INNT 23-516CON

A total of £35,000 has been spent on extending and upgrading the village’s existing play area through replacing and providing extra equipment and installing a new perimeter fence. A further £10,000 of funding has allowed new lighting to be installed along the existing path at War Memorial Park, while the centre of the village has been transformed with a new path, flowerbeds and benches through a £12,000 Environmental Improvement Scheme. Dramatic and eye-catching new artwork along the subway beside the river was created by artist David Craig and local young people. The sun was shining as Mayor Victor Robinson, Councillor Mark Cosgrove, Chair of GROW South Antrim Joint Council Committee, Emma Stubbs, GROW programme manager, and a number of local political and community representatives toured the completed projects and joined parents and children to enjoy the play park.

In a joint statement, a spokesperson for the council and GROW said: “The projects will be appreciated by the residents of Ballynure. The energy, time and passion that the local community group has put into the Ballynure Village Renewal scheme has been fantastic. The completed projects are a great example of local people, the council and GROW working in partnership to produce real improvements within a community.”

Meanwhile, alderman Robinson was joined by members of Ollardale Community Group on May 29 as he opened the new boardwalk at Sixmile River Park, Ballyclare.

The new boardwalk, a joint project between Biffaward and the council, opens up the river and pond environment for park users.