Work gets under way on new games area in Rathcoole

A sod cutting ceremony has signalled the start of work on a new multi-use games area (MUGA) development in the Rathcoole estate.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Feb 2016, 14:39 BST
Updated 29th Feb 2016, 14:44 BST
Mayor Thomas Hogg was joined by Paula Bradley MLA; Nelson McCausland MLA; Councillor Paul Hamill; Councillor Billy Webb; Stephen Crawford, Northern Ireland Housing Executive; representatives from Crawford Contracts Group Ltd and Robert Logan Architects; Louise Moore, ANBC Head of Community Planning; Neil Luney, ANBC Capital Projects Officer; community representatives and local children Rihanna and Ashton Curry at the official sod-cutting for the new multi-use games area at Rathmullan Drive, Rathcoole. INNT 09-511CONMayor Thomas Hogg was joined by Paula Bradley MLA; Nelson McCausland MLA; Councillor Paul Hamill; Councillor Billy Webb; Stephen Crawford, Northern Ireland Housing Executive; representatives from Crawford Contracts Group Ltd and Robert Logan Architects; Louise Moore, ANBC Head of Community Planning; Neil Luney, ANBC Capital Projects Officer; community representatives and local children Rihanna and Ashton Curry at the official sod-cutting for the new multi-use games area at Rathmullan Drive, Rathcoole. INNT 09-511CON
Mayor Thomas Hogg was joined by Paula Bradley MLA; Nelson McCausland MLA; Councillor Paul Hamill; Councillor Billy Webb; Stephen Crawford, Northern Ireland Housing Executive; representatives from Crawford Contracts Group Ltd and Robert Logan Architects; Louise Moore, ANBC Head of Community Planning; Neil Luney, ANBC Capital Projects Officer; community representatives and local children Rihanna and Ashton Curry at the official sod-cutting for the new multi-use games area at Rathmullan Drive, Rathcoole. INNT 09-511CON

The project at Rathmullan Drive, which received £120,000 of funding from Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, is now under way following the transfer of the necessary land from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Speaking at the sod cutting ceremony, Mayor Thomas Hogg expressed his thanks to the range of organisations involved in the project.

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“The development of this new multi-use games area is the culmination of hard work by many agencies and I would particularly like to thank the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for the land transfer,” he said. “I would also like to thank the Department for Social Development and the Rathcoole Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership for their commitment to the project.

“Going forward I know that the games area will be well used by the local community and I am delighted that council has been able to enhance sports provision in Rathcoole.”

Cllr Paul Hamill, Chair of Rathcoole Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership and a local resident, added: “I am delighted to see the MUGA development under way. Once up and running, the games area will improve sports opportunities for young people in Rathcoole, and the Partnership is already working on a sports activity programme for the summer months.”

Work on the MUGA project, including the erection of floodlights and fencing, is due to be completed by the end of April. The council is now progressing a plans for a second phase development, including a 3G pitch, on land beside the new MUGA.

Related topics:MUGAWorkNewtownabbey Borough Council