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Following residents concerns scuppering plans for building a BMX Track at Derrybeg, it appears that Council are considering expanding the original plans to include skateboarders as part of a wider Urban Sports facility while locating the facility on Council owned land adjacant to Newry Leisure Centre.
Newry skateboarding enthusiasts have been campaigning for a facility for well over 20 years but with no plans in the public domain as of yet, it is not known if skateboarding facilities would be a minor or a major part of the project. Presently Urban Sports facilities are also included in Phase One of the planned Newry City Park at the Albert Basin.
The Special EU Programmes Body granted £318,465 for the BMX project as part of a larger application in 2018. Changes to the projects are permitted and Council has made SEUPB aware of the potential for changes with changes to the application currently being formalised.
Currently the project is due to be completed by 30 September but it is believed that a request has been made to extend the deadline to 30 June 2023.
In reply to a query from Newry.ie Slieve Gullion Councillor Declan Murphy pointed out that a recent Council survey on the BMX proposal saw requests from participants that the new facility would also cater for skateboarding also, something that his party would welcome.
He explained "After the council conducted a new survey re the BMX proposal it was clear that many respondents were interested in a new facility that would cater for skate boarding enthusiasts as well as those involved in BMX and scooter activity.
"SF would welcome this development as it is more inclusive of all urban sports. We have been working with skate boarding enthusiasts for a number of months so hopefully we will see a result."
This was discussed at a NM&D Peace Partnership meeting on Thursday 28 July where four options were on the table. Murphy said "Everyone in attendance supported option 4, that is, to move location (from Derrybeg to land adjacent to the NLC) and to deliver an Urban Sports Track which will also compliment the councils Sports Facility Strategy to create Shared Sports Facilities within the District. Hopefully programmes of engagement shall be included." He believes that a brand new facility on an existing sporting hub is a win win for everyone!
Cllr Murphy added "This track will be a great asset to the community and can give a long wanted home to many of our urban sports such as Skateboarding as well as Scooters and BMX."
Any decisions from the 28 July meeting will have to be ratified by Committee and then full council at some stage, likely in September or October.
