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A new recreational hub at Camlough Lake has been approved at this month's Strategy, Policy and Resources meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council.
It is believed that the proposed project will include an event hub with a number of facilities including toilet, shower and changing areas as well as a slipway to the lake, parking spaces, events registration area and other facilities. The project will also deliver a walkway and a protected nature/wildlife viewing area as part of the overall plan.
Councillors agreed to approve a budget allocation from Council's Capital Programme, the appointment of a Consultancy team, progress land matters and also to seek external funding.
Cllr Oonagh Magennis, Council Deputy Chairperson and Councillor for the Slieve Gullion area has welcomed the news. Cllr Magennis said “I’m delighted that the recreation facility project has now moved on further and the people of Camlough are now closer to having a first class facility developed by the lake.
“Completing this project will be a gamechanger for Camlough and the wider South Armagh community, offering a first class leisure and recreation facility at Camlough lake to take advantage of the full potential at the site.
“We now need the council to be proactive and seek out additional funding to help deliver this project to the community."
MLA, Conor Murphy said that this will help develop South Armagh to reach its full tourism potential. The MLA said “This announcement is a welcome boost to the community of South Armagh but particularly to the people of Camlough. We’ve been so lucky to have the amazing asset of Camlough lake on our doorstep and now the opportunity to enhance the site for the whole community is extremely positive news.
“Both myself and my colleague, Cllr. Magennis are looking forward to seeing further phases of development at this site including the installation of a walking track and to ensure the protection of the nature reserve at the lake.
“Sinn Féin is committed to developing South Armagh to help it realise its full tourism potential and ensuring that extraordinary sites, like Camlough lake, are utilised to their full potential is a key part of this project.
The agenda item was proposed by Cllr Pete Byrne and seconded by Cllr Oonagh Magennis and it was agreed "To approve a budget allocation on the Council's Capital Programme as the preferred option recommended in the Business Case as outlined in Section 4.1 of the officers report, to approve the procurement and appointment of integrated consultancy team to progress the project, progress necessary land matters to facilitate delivering the option approved and officers to investigate and seek appropriate external funding for the project."
The SP&R decision is subject to ratification at the January full Council meeting.
