The Minister’s fact-finding tour took him to a number of venues across the region to see the facilities and hear about the local issues affecting sport, arts, languages and libraries.
Stopping off at Bready Cricket Club, the Minister said: “Last summer, I welcomed a funding package of £1.7million for Bready Cricket Club, announced by Sport Northern Ireland. This funding will see the construction of a cricketing and sports centre of excellence, an international standard cricket pitch, a second cricket pitch, a multi-sports hall and the employment of a multi-sports/cricket development officer for the North West Area.
“The construction work on these projects is now underway and I am pleased to come to Strabane to see the progress that has been made. The local community will benefit greatly from the new facilities available to them."
Director of Participation in Sport Northern Ireland, Nick Harkness said: "This significant investment from Sport Northern Ireland's Lottery Funded Building Sport programme demonstrates our commitment to providing communities with quality, accessible facilities that meet local priorities.
This development will widen sporting opportunities in the North West area increasing participation in sport and supporting those with aspirations to compete at the highest level."
Earlier in the day, the Minister visited Strabane Library. The Minister said: “It is clear there is some excellent work going on in the North West region, with excellent facilities and dedicated staff. Strabane Library welcomed almost 100,000 visitors last year – an impressive 64% increase since 2003.
“I recently announced a £31.6million three year capital programme for libraries which will help modernise and improve public library facilities across Northern Ireland.
“This will allow a major programme of work to improve the library estate with high quality, fit-for-purpose libraries providing the facilities modern library users need. The overall spend on libraries will enable the Library Service to improve opening hours, continue to provide free internet access, spend more on books and deliver more library services on-line.”
The visit to the Ulster Scots Centre of Excellence gave the Minister the opportunity to see the work which has been carried out by Bready and District Ulster Scots Association in preserving the culture and heritage in the Bready area.
Commenting on the visit the Minister said: “The West Tyrone area is synonymous with the movement of the Ulster Scots people to America. Many of these people became key players in the formation of the emerging United States such as Davy Crockett’s father who came from Donemana and John Dunlap who hailed from Strabane and was involved in printing the declaration of independence."
Other venues visited included Strabane Arts Centre and Dergview Football Club. The Minister said that Dergview FC is an up and coming football club which is producing a mix of local sporting talent, including an under-14 girls team which recently participated in the Foyle cup.
Notes to Editors:
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