Work is due to commence soon on the construction of a new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) in Portglenone.
The MUGA will be located adjacent to both the Marina and the Community Centre – with the project also including an upgrade of the children’s play park.
This investment of £430K is part of the £2.4M funding package secured by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for its Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme - with funding provided for the project from the Department for Communities(DfC) Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA) and Mid & East Antrim Borough Council.
FP McCann Ltd. have been awarded the contract and plans for the project will be completed by the end of March 2024.
The 34m x 20m MUGA will have a 3G surface, flood lighting and ball stop fencing. The facilities will cater for a wide range of sporting activities and once complete will be available for the local community to book.
The new children’s play area - which will include inclusive equipment - has been designed to inspire fun and creativity for children and their families.
The plans have been developed following engagement with the Portglenone Enterprise Group, to maximise the available space in the area and accommodate a wide range of activities and events that take place annually in the surrounding green spaces.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, welcomed the plans saying:
“I am delighted that Council will be delivering this excellent pitch for the local community, and I know it will be extremely popular and well-used.
“Mid and East Antrim has a proud reputation for sporting excellence and this investment paves the way for future success - these facilities will be invaluable to those who use them.
“The play park upgrade will be a fantastic asset for young people in and around Portglenone too – I look forward to seeing the plans and watching the project come to life.”
Highlighting the support of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the Department for Communities, Regional Director of Development at DfC Gerard Murray commented:
“The funding for this project has been made available through collaboration across central and local government, and it’s great to see work starting on the ground. I have no doubt it will deliver significant benefits for the people of Portglenone and to the continued efforts to maximise the potential of the town’s marina area.”
Local TUV Alderman for Bannside, Deputy Mayor Stewart McDonald welcomed news of the upgraded facilities for the local community in Portglenone. He said:
"Having lobbied for the provision of new and improved leisure facilities in Portglenone for many years, I welcome the fact that contractors have been appointed to install a new 3G pitch with floodlighting and to replace the existing play equipment in the village as well as carry out other important work.
"For too long the area has been neglected. Sportsmen and women have had to make do with second best while young families simply haven’t have access to the facilities they should have when bringing their kids out for an hour or two out of the house.
"People can rest assured that I will be keeping a close eye on this project as it progresses and will be keen to ensure that the work is not only completed to standard but the site is maintained so that it can be enjoyed for many years to come."