Councilconsidersnew sportscomplex

Having lost the prestigious final to Ballymena this year - because the usual venue of Coleraine Showgrounds was deemed unsuitable - the council has appointed consultants to pursue the possibility of a state-of-the-art venue.

As well as accommodating the Milk Cup, the venue would be the home ground for Coleraine Football Club, whose Ballycastle Road showgrounds pitch is owned by the North Derry Agricultural Association.

The favoured site is the current playing field area at Rugby Road, on the Ballymoney side of the town, opposite the Causeway Hospital.

It would mean selling off or renting the site of the council’s current leisure centre, at Railway Road in the town centre.

Many of the Milk Cup games in the various sections were played at the usual venues this year - the Coleraine Showgrounds, Ballymoney, Limavady, Portrush, Portstewart and Ballymena among them.

But with the Elite Final traditionally drawing the biggest crowd, it has always been held at the showgrounds since the tournament was established in 1983 - until health and safety decreed it should be transferred to Ballymena this year, when USA beat Northern Ireland 3-0.

Councillor Maurice Bradley, who is heavily involved in junior and youth football locally, is delighted at the decision to go ahead and appoint consultants whose report is expected later this month.

He said: “Although at an early stage, the idea has been worked on by a special cross-party sub-committee. Our leisure centre at Railway Road is nearing the end of its life and the council will be faced with a decision - refurbish or rebuild.

“I would hope that a rebuild would take place and that it will form part of a new ‘community stadium’.

“Such a facility could include an athletics track, swimming pools, sports halls and fitness suites, conference facilities and a restaurant.

“The icing on the cake would be the return of the Milk Cup finals to their rightful place.

“When I look at the poor attendance for the Milk Cup finals at Ballymena Chowgrounds, I fully support the Milk Cup committee’s desire to return to their spiritual home in Coleraine.

“A new venue in Coleraine is vital.”