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Major Stormont funding could be set to for a Newry sports hub on grounds named after legendary Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pat Jennings.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s (NMDDC) active and healthy communities committee (March 16) agreed to apply for Department for Communities (DfC) funding, but discussed a report on the project budget behind closed doors away from the public.
A business case for the Newry sports hub was approved in 2024 for the development of playing fields for football, rugby and GAA at Jennings Park.
A council officer said: “DfC Department for Communities has launched a funding grant for grassroots football facilities.
“Officers have looked at it and identified Jennings Park Newry as part of the multi-hub that meets the criteria set out by the funders in ‘Stream 2’.
“If the committee agrees, officers will submit an application before the deadline later this year on 29 April.”
Earlier this month, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons announced the next milestone in the Northern Ireland Football Fund with the pilot stage of the Grassroots Facilities Programme.
The pilot will be allocated an indicative budget of £9m with the first awards payable to applicants as early as this financial year. Applicants can apply for funding awards between £500,000 and £1.5million.
In November 2023, a statue of the former Arsenal and Spurs goalkeeper was unveiled outside Newry Town Hall with Jennings and his family in attendance as well as former stars of soccer, Liam Brady, Gerry Armstrong and Ledley King paying tribute to one of the greatest keepers of all time.
Newry City councillor Aidan Mathers added:”I am happy to propose this.
“The plans for Jennings Park are exciting and long overdue.
“It is vitally important that communication around the progress of this initiative is shared especially by the people who are going to be affected by it.”
Stream 2 of the DfC funding scheme is open to councils applying for a grassroots football facility or councils applying in partnership with a grassroots football club.
