Council seeking cash for Crossgar complex

Council seeking cash for Crossgar complex

20 June 2012

DOWN Council has agreed to help identify funding for a new sports and community facility in Crossgar and include the scheme in its list of capital projects.

The decision was taken at last week’s meeting of Down Council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee and is expected to be ratified at the next full council meeting on June 25.

A number of possible sites have been identified for the new facility including the St.

Colmcille’s High School campus at the Killyleagh

Road, with local sports clubs suggesting a new 3G soccer pitch with floodlights should be provided at the Kilmore playing fields as part of any new investment strategy.

A series of meetings have already been held in Crossgar to discuss the provision of a new community facility.

The council committee decision to include the Crossgar scheme on its capital programme has been welcomed by Rowallane councillors Maria McCarthy, Terry Andrews and Billy Walker.

Councillor McCarthy said it is imperative the pressure required to bring the facility to life is maintained.

“The need for the new sport and community hall was much evidenced in the consultant’s

feasibility report. We now, as a community and as a council, need to be pursuing with

vigour, appropriate revenue and grant sources to build a fully functional sport and recreation facility fit for purpose for the whole village and wider rural area,” she added.

Councillor Andrews said there is a “proven need” for a new community facility in the village and praised the Crossgar Community Association for its work spearheading the drive for a new-build scheme.

He said the proposed community facility will make a major contribution to people in Crossgar and hopes the money to finance its construction can be found.

Councillor Walker said council officers can be assured of the unswerving support of all Rowallane councillors for the new community facility which will play a key role at the heart of village life for many years to come.