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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is partnering with St Mark's High School in Warrenpoint to create a new multi-sports hub on the school campus, delivering the first facility of its kind in the Crotlieve area and helping meet growing demand for quality sports facilities across the district.
The proposed development will see the existing pitch upgraded to a full 3G all-weather surface, with new external changing facilities built to support both school and community use. The hub will provide year-round training and playing capability while helping to meet increasing demand from local Gaelic, soccer and rugby clubs.
and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Philip Campbell, Marie Ward, Chief
Executive Marie Ward and John Allen, Chairperson of the Board of Governors with
members of the school leadership team, councillors and council officers.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by senior school leadership, the Board of Governors and Council management, confirming their commitment to work together to progress the project through design, planning permission, funding and delivery.
St Mark's High School has been identified as an ideal location for the hub due to its position within the DEA, its strong sporting culture and its ability to accommodate shared-use facilities. The facility will meet the needs of the wider sporting community while also enhancing sports provision for pupils at the school.
The project aligns with the Council's Sports Facility Strategy Review from 2022, which identified the need to increase provision of multi-sports hubs across Council's seven District Electoral Areas. This development addresses a key strategic priority outlined in that review.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Phillip Campbell, welcomed the initiative. "I am delighted to see this project progress and to see a strong partnership approach between the Council and St Mark's High School," he said. "This development is a clear example of the Sports Facility Strategy 2022 being translated into real, tangible outcomes on the ground. The improved and increased provision at this site will bring long-term benefits to schools, clubs and residents across the Warrenpoint area, helping to grow participation, improve performance and support healthier, more active communities."
Aidan McGivern, Principal of St Mark's High School, said the development was hugely positive for the school and its entire community. "The creation of a multi-sports hub on our site would greatly enhance the quality and range of sporting education and opportunities available to our students, supporting their physical health, wellbeing and personal development. Importantly, it will also strengthen our connection with local sports clubs and allow our facilities to play a greater role in supporting community participation in sport."
The project, which is currently at design stage, represents a significant investment in local sporting infrastructure and Council say it is a key step in delivering their long-term vision for accessible, high-quality sports facilities across the district.
