Council admits project delays have worsened Broughshane changing facilities

Changing facilities at Broughshane Community Centre

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has acknowledged that delays to the replacement of Broughshane Community Centre have contributed to the further deterioration of temporary changing facilities used by local football clubs.

The Council is assessing whether “critical remedial works” are required to keep the existing facilities safe and functional, but has not confirmed what work will be undertaken or when it could begin.

There is also no construction start date for the new community centre. A revised planning application submitted on 19 December 2025 remains under consideration, with responses still awaited from statutory consultees.

The admission follows concerns about reported mould, leaks, inadequate toilet provision and water close to electrical installations at Broughshane Playing Fields.

Council considering short-term options

A spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council initially told Love Ballymena that officers were exploring potential short-term improvements following a meeting with local elected representatives.

The spokesperson said:

“A positive and constructive meeting recently took place with all local DEA Members regarding changing facilities at the football pitch in Broughshane.

“Council Officers are currently exploring potential options to improve the existing changing accommodation in the short term, while recognising that any future investment must be considered alongside the planned redevelopment of the wider Broughshane Community Centre.

“In relation to the proposed Broughshane Community Centre, the project is currently progressing through the planning process. Subject to the necessary approvals being secured, the next stage will involve the preparation and issue of tender documentation for the construction works.

“At this stage, it is not possible to provide an accurate commencement date for construction, however the project continues to progress through the required development stages.”

The Council did not specify which improvements were under consideration, how they would be funded or when a decision would be made.

Chief executive acknowledges impact of delays

Further detail has now emerged in correspondence from interim chief executive Valerie Watts to DUP North Antrim MLA Paul Frew.

Ms Watts confirmed that the planning process remains ongoing following the submission of the revised application on 19 December 2025.

The Council is awaiting responses from relevant statutory consultees before the application can progress further.

In anticipation of planning permission being secured, it is preparing a construction tender exercise which will provide an updated assessment of anticipated building costs based on the current design.

The tender will not be issued until planning approval is received.

Addressing the temporary changing facilities, Ms Watts wrote:

“With regard to the concerns raised about the condition of the temporary changing facilities, I acknowledge that delays in progressing the replacement community centre project have contributed to the further deterioration of the existing structures.

“While our primary focus remains on delivering the new capital build, I have asked the team to assess any critical remedial works that may be required to maintain the current facilities.

“Any interim measures will be focused on ensuring that the existing facilities remain safe and functional, until the new development is delivered.”

The correspondence represents the Council’s clearest acknowledgement that delays to the replacement project have had a direct effect on the condition of the existing accommodation.

However, an assessment does not guarantee that work has been approved. The Council has not identified which defects it considers critical, when the assessment will be completed or when any resulting repairs could begin.

Concerns over safety and accessibility

UUP Councillor Alan Barr and TUV Councillor Chrissy Jamieson previously described the changing facilities as “plainly substandard” and called for urgent council action.

The concerns raised include mould, leaks and water close to electrical installations, as well as the absence of dedicated female and disabled toilets.

Showering facilities at the Broughshane Community Centre site.

Councillor Barr said:

“These facilities are simply not good enough. Mould, leaks and water around electrical installations are serious concerns, while the lack of female and disabled toilets is unacceptable.

“Broughshane needs action, not social media likes.”

Councillor Jamieson said the issue went beyond the appearance of the building and directly affected the clubs, players and volunteers using it.

“Those using Broughshane Playing Fields deserve facilities which are safe, accessible and fit for purpose. We will continue pressing for action until that is delivered.”

The councillors recently met the Council’s Director of People, alongside other representatives, to discuss the reported conditions and possible solutions.

No construction date for new centre

The proposed Broughshane Community Centre redevelopment is intended to provide a permanent replacement for the existing accommodation, but its delivery remains dependent upon planning approval and the subsequent tender process.

TUV councillors have expressed concern about possible slippage in the project and the prospect of clubs having to use the temporary facilities for longer.

Councillor Jamieson previously said:

“The new Community Centre is hugely important for Broughshane, but any delay will put even greater pressure on existing facilities.

“If the timetable slips, clubs could be left relying on these inadequate changing rooms for even longer.

“The Council needs to be open with the community about the timetable, whether there has been any slippage and what is being done to prevent further delays.

“Broughshane has waited long enough. What the community needs now is delivery.”

Funding offers no immediate solution

The condition of the facilities was also raised at Stormont by UUP North Antrim MLA Jon Burrows.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons pointed in response to forthcoming grassroots football funding and the Olympic Legacy Fund, which can provide capital support to community clubs.

However, Raceview Football Club cannot access the funding identified by the Minister, leaving no immediate solution through those schemes.

Councillor Barr said directing the club towards funding for which it was ineligible did not address the problem.

“A funding scheme is no use to a club which cannot apply for it. Pointing to pots of money which are inaccessible to those affected might provide an answer to an Assembly question, but it does not provide a solution.

“Raceview and the other users of these facilities need practical action, not another generic funding announcement.”

The Council has now accepted that delays to the replacement project have contributed to the deterioration of the temporary facilities.

What remains unanswered is when its assessment will be completed, which remedial works will be authorised and how much longer local clubs must wait for permanent facilities to be delivered.