Work due to start on new facilities at start of year

SPORTS facilites in Coleraine are set to get a major boost this week as the propsed new development at Rugby Avenue moves a step closer.
The proposed development at Rugby Avenue.The proposed development at Rugby Avenue.
The proposed development at Rugby Avenue.

An agreement between the council and Coleraine Rugby Club for phase one of the project, which will see an astro turf pitch and 3G pitch pitch installed on club land at Rugby Avenue, has been finalised. The project is now expected to get the go ahead at tonight (Tuesday’s) monthly meeting at Council which could see work begin as quickly as the middle of January next year. At a cost of £1.5m, funded through the DCAL, the project is scheduled to be completed by July 2014.

It will consist of an astroturf pitch, suitable for training, and hockey and a 3G pitch suitable for football and training will go a small way towards addressing the shortfall of such facilities in the Borough and is a fore-runner to the main Rugby Avenue Project consisting of Leisure Centre, Stadium and multi-use facilities.

The 99-year lease agreement between the rugby club and Coleraine Council guarantees the survival and promotion of hockey into the future. The astro-turf area is expected to widely used by the sporting fraternity, with football, GAA, hockey, rugby all expected to avail of the training facilities being proposed.

The 3G facility, the first in the Borough under the control of Council, is a much awaited development and is the fore-runner to the main development.