£600k Delamont boost ‘will make it even better’

£600k Delamont boost ‘will make it even better’

17 August 2022

PLANS to invest £600,000 to enhance the stunning Delamont Country Park have been welcomed by Rowallane area SDLP councillor Terry Andrews.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council is investing the cash to upgrade a number of trails at the country park — located outside Killyleagh on the shores of Strangford Lough — to enhance the 200-acre facility’s visitor offering.

Cllr Andrews, who has been lobbying for investment in the park, is pleased that money will be spent to provide a number of new trails, new seating and improved signage. A number of existing trails will also be widened and resurfaced to ensure they are fully accessible.

Local politicians have consistently argued that the sprawling park has the capacity to deliver so much more with Cllr Andrews keen to see the facility’s untapped potential fully utilised.

Confirmation of the planned £600,000 spend was confirmed at last week’s meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Committee.

The local authority is keen to make one of the best country parks of its kind in Northern Ireland even better and local people have already been asked for their views on how the stunning location could be developed.

Council officials — who initially outlined the major spend at Delamont at this year’s annual rates meeting in February — insist they are committed to enhancing what the country park has to offer to help attract even more visitors to what is one of the district’s most popular tourist facilities and a base for a number of high profile events.

In 2019, a master plan which examined how Delamont could be improved was published with the public given an opportunity to comment on the various suggestions.

Cllr Andrews said the cash injection paves the way for the creation of what are being described as multi-use trails which will be suitable for horse riding.

“While there are lots of different trails at the country park, they combine to create a network which allows people to literally explore every inch of the place. Delamont is hugely popular all-year round and not just over the spring and summer months,” he said.

Cllr Andrews, who is a frequent visitor to the park, enjoys walking the many trails and never ceases to be amazed by the number of visitors it attracts.

“For many years, local people and those from outside the district have enjoyed the many splendours of Delamont Country Park. The new investment and proposed upgrades will make the facility even better,” he said.

“The £600,000 earmarked for the country park will make even better and help attract many more visitors.”

The investment has also been welcomed by Rowallane area Alliance councillor David Lee-Surginor.

He said: “With this funding, work can begin on delivering on the much-needed improvements at Delamont Country Park. It will create new opportunities for play and exercise offering benefits to residents and visitors.

“The coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated the importance of green space for health and mental wellbeing.”

He added: “Delamont is a valued resource in the district and with these enhancements, will provide an enriched leisure space for all to enjoy.”

In addition to the local authority investment, the Education Authority has invested heavily in upgrading its base within the grounds of the country park which is used to deliver a variety of outdoor purists courses.

Several years ago, the building was earmarked for closure by education chiefs as part of a rationalisation of outdoor youth provision. But it secured a reprieve as a result of pressure from local politicians.

The country park plays a key role in attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year and already boasts a very popular miniature railway and cafe and hugely popular children’s play area.