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Plans for a new multi-sport 3G pitch at Jennings Park in Newry have moved a step closer, with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council submitting a funding bid to the Northern Ireland Football Fund's Grassroots Facilities Programme Stream 2.
A formal planning application has already been lodged for the facility, which would replace existing grass pitches with two soccer pitches and one full-size GAA pitch, along with floodlighting, ball-stop fencing, drainage, perimeter paths and associated works.
The decision to submit the funding bid, which must be lodged by 26 April, was taken at a meeting of the Council's Active and Healthy Communities Committee on 16 March and is to be formally ratified by the full Council when it meets next month. If successful, the development would be jointly funded by the Council and the Football Fund.
The need for the facility has been well documented. The Council's sports facilities strategy and multi-sport hub strategic review highlighted a significant shortfall in access to synthetic sports facilities within the Newry District Electoral Area. An examination of current provision found a shortfall of around 40 hours per week of football training capacity in the Newry area alone, with demand from football and GAA clubs equating to over 80 hours of weekly training need.
Currently, 24 football teams, including ladies' sides, and eight GAA clubs operate within the wider catchment area, with the clubs and teams collectively representing over 800 active sports members.
Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell welcomed the development. "This is a very exciting development that will cater for a range of sports as the synthetic surface will not be rendered unplayable in poor weather," he said. "The floodlit facility will ensure sustained use during the winter months and the new surface will be a real asset to the sports community in the Newry area."
Cllr Campbell also highlighted the advantages of the Jennings Park location, given its proximity to Newry Leisure Centre where parking, changing facilities, toilets and accessibility features are already available.
"This proposal will provide Newry with a superb sports pitch facility and represents a welcome investment in the future for many clubs who will be able to use Jennings Park more than ever before," he said.
The new pitch would be available for football, GAA and rugby, with the all-weather surface significantly reducing cancellations caused by poor weather conditions that currently affect the grass pitches. "Football, GAA and rugby clubs can use the new 3G surface which paves the way for increased participation in sport and physical activity which is good for everyone, leading to improved health and wellbeing outcomes in the community," Cllr Campbell added.
