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The Finance Ministers approval today of £16.2M for the 'Development of a 15 acre parkland and open space at Albert Basin Park, Newry' is a 'massive step forward' for the development according to Newry and Armagh MLA Liz Kimmins. Minister Murphy described it as a 'good day for Newry' with the hope that this funding will finally get things moving at a pace for the long awaited peoples park.
The £16.2M funding approval was the largest sum announced today in the first set of projects to be funded under the Executive’s City/Growth Deals Complementary fund with £15M for a Hydrogen innovation centre in Ballymena; £7.5m for the establishment of an Industrial Development Challenge Fund, Mid South West Region; £7.4M Multi use recreational & environmental facility, Bangor and £6M for establishment of a Digital Transformation Fund.
Welcomin the news MLA Liz Kimmins said “Today, Sinn Féin Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has approved proposals for a £16 million investment to develop a 15-acre city park at the Albert Basin site in Newry.
“Plans for the city park are exciting and ambitious and I am delighted that the Finance Minister proposes to match that ambition with a huge funding package.
Kimmins continued “The proposed park will deliver many benefits and opportunities to the local community, creating new jobs, improving air quality and providing a variety of new recreational activities.
“This development has been a long-standing priority for Sinn Féin in Newry and today's announcement is a massive step forward."
Finance Minister Conor Murphy also spoke of his delight “This is a good day for Newry. I am delighted to be able to approve this funding and look forward to seeing the project move forward at last.
“My Colleague, Deirdre Hargey MLA, the Minister for Communities and her department supported this project as a priority bid and she will be managing the delivery of the park project.
“This is Sinn Féin in government, delivering real positive change for workers and families across Newry and Armagh."
