30 November 2006
ARMAGH COMMUNITIES GET £300,000 SPORTING CHANCE
People living in the Callanbridge, Drumarg and Mullacreevie housing estates in Armagh have now got state-of-the art sports facilities.
A total of £300,000 funding from the Department for Social Development's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and The Big Lottery, through the Creating Common Ground Consortium, has led to the provision of brand new sports areas at Callanbridge and Drumarg, and improved facilities at Mullacreevie.
Two derelict pieces of land at Callanbridge and Drumarg have been transformed into all weather pitches which can be used for a variety of sports, such as basketball and soccer. The existing facilities at Mullacreevie have been upgraded, with a new fence erected and improved lighting. It has also benefited from a new hard surface kick-about area.
Welcoming the completion of the works, Social Development Minister David Hanson MP said: "By funding these new sporting facilities my Department is demonstrating its commitment to improving social conditions and the physical environment for people living in more deprived communities.
"The link between regular exercise and improved confidence and self-belief is well documented. That these sports amenities will offer young people the opportunity to take part in new activities within their communities will also encourage them to take pride in their area. To turn unused spaces to such positive advantage is good news for local people."
Chief Executive of the Housing Executive, Paddy McIntyre, commented on the success of the Creating Common Ground programme: "The Housing Executive is committed to involving local communities and assisting them in regenerating their neighbourhoods. The projects delivered through the Creating Common Ground Consortium have provided much needed resources for local communities throughout Armagh and Northern Ireland.
"The commitment, support and participation of local community representatives and our partner agencies on Project Teams has been vital in the delivery of these successful community projects."
Ciaran Toal, Chairperson of Callanbridge Residents' Association, said: "The future for the three estates now rests in the hands of the residents. Active citizenship and community spirit will have to be maintained if the multi-sports areas are to bear fruit. We acknowledge the support of all the partners in the project teams who have worked with the residents to fulfil this dream. We look forward to their continued support both in utilising these excellent facilities and assisting with further regeneration in our areas.
"I would also like to thank the Creating Common Ground Consortium, The Big Lottery Fund and the Department for Social Development for their generous funding of these and other projects in West Armagh which will be of great benefit to our communities."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' was published in June 2003 to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives.
2. The Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership is one of those funded by DSD.
- Community Renewal - to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.
- Economic Renewal - to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.
- Social Renewal - to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.
- Physical Renewal - to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.
3. The Creating Common Ground Consortium is a unique and strategic partnership of key statutory, voluntary, and private sector agencies in Northern Ireland including:
- Northern Ireland Housing Executive
- Community Relations Council
- Groundwork (NI)
- Community Foundation for N.I. (CFNI)
- Northern Ireland Office
- Department for Social Development
- Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
- Business in the Community (advisory member)
- Sports Council for N.I. (advisory member)
4. In September 2000 the Big Lottery Fund, a National Lottery good cause distributor, appointed the Creating Common Ground Consortium as an Award partner under its Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities funding programme. It is one of only 12 partners, and the only one in Northern Ireland. The Creating Common Ground Consortium has worked in partnership with the Big Lottery Fund to distribute £5.24 million as part of the Programme.
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