Work gets underway on multi use games area in Castledawson

Works commenced on the EU Peace IV-funded ‘Shared Space’ project in Castledawson last week and are due to be completed at the end of May this year.

The investment in Castledawson will see the installation of a new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) at Boyne Row pitch. The new polymeric surface will be suitable for ball games such as basketball, tennis and football, providing greater opportunities for outdoor play. The MUGA will be complete with fencing and floodlighting.

Improvements will also be made to the lighting of the existing car park area adjacent to the play and external works will be carried out to the existing pavilion building.

Speaking about the commencement of the £700K investment programme, Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Cathal Mallaghan, said: “To see the first project get underway in this significant investment programme is extremely pleasing.

"The works at Castledawson will open up shared spaces in the village that the whole community can enjoy together helping to encourage greater outside play and community cohesion.

“It’s great to see the works officially commenced in the first of the 6 villages earmarked for this extensive investment via the PEACE programme and I look forward to celebrating the same milestone for the other 5 villages in due course.”

The ‘Shared Space’ project will also bring about the transformation of civic spaces in Aughnacloy, Donaghmore, Draperstown, Moneymore and Moy. This programme of works follows on from the recently completed village renewal works, which took place over the last 2-3 years, in villages across Mid Ulster.

To date 50 villages have received investment for civic and open space development. The PEACE IV Programme is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The project is match-funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland and The Executive Office in Northern Ireland.

The contractor delivering the programme is MP Coleman and all six project elements are due to be completed by the end of June this year.

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