Downpatrick could be base for major new sports facility

Downpatrick could be base for major new sports facility

18 July 2018

DOWNPATRICK is being viewed as a prime location for a major new sports hub.

Down High School’s sports pitches at Mount Crescent have been earmarked as a potential base for a new facility capable of accommodating the needs of a number of sports including Gaelic games, rugby, hockey, athletics and tennis.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council is aware of the proposal which has been floated by South Down MLA Colin McGrath, who has also held meetings with Down High School officials and local sports club representatives.

The grammar school is planning to move to a new multi-million pound campus at the Strangford Road within the next few years, but will retain the use of some of its sports pitches which Mr McGrath believes can be redeveloped with financial assistance from Sport NI.

He hopes the local authority will be able to secure funding to allow the Mount Crescent location to be transformed into a leading sports community hub for the entire district.

Mr McGrath said Downpatrick had “suffered from a severe lack of investment” over recent years in sports facilities with small clubs being left to fend for themselves. 

“While many councils delivered municipal sports centres and facilities, the former Down Council focused on localised smaller facilities and the Down Leisure Centre which is being replaced by an ultra-modern multi-million pound facility,” he continued.

Mr McGrath said the new centre’s autumn opening was “welcome news” and heralded the start of exciting times by providing a range of facilities which would provide a significant boost for the area.

But the Assemblyman said that while the new centre would provide an upgrade of existing facilities, there was “limited scope for new facilities or sports.”

He continued: “Many towns and cities across the UK and Ireland have municipal outdoor facilities that deliver the opportunity for multiple sports and I would like to see such a hub developed in Downpatrick.

“I believe the opportunity is currently possible with Down High School’s proposed relocation to a new site at the Strangford Road. The school will retain some sporting facilities at Mount Crescent and it is my understanding that the current use of its outdoor pitches will reduce.”

Mr McGrath said he welcomed the fact that central government has “woken up to the idea” that partnering with schools means that sports facilities could be used during the evenings and weekends by the local community.

“I would like to see the development of a community sports hub at Down High’s pitches that would deliver the necessary five sports minimum needed to draw down Sports NI funding,” he said.

“The sports that would be best suited would include a running track for all our local athletics clubs, an upgrade to the current tennis club facilities at Down High and provision for local hockey, Gaelic and rugby.

“These sports and others that could utilise the site would pave the way for a massive boost to clubs and disciplines which have been under-invested in for generations.”

Mr McGrath added: “Drive around Downpatrick or Newcastle and you will literally see hundreds of people running on the roads because there is no facility for them. Doing this during dark winter evenings only exacerbates the dangers they face.

“I believe a new sports hub project is eminently doable and I have had meetings with council officers, local sports clubs, schools and the education authority.

“I want facilities for local people and hope Newry, Mourne and Down Council can roll in behind this concept and deliver for the people of our area.”