The new facility had been developed with the support of Groundwork and Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council and will offer a focal meeting point that will benefit local people in the Dungannon area.
Commenting on the success of the project, the Minister said: “Children are the future of our society, and this project demonstrates my commitment to ensuring all children receive equal opportunities irrespective of where they live. It will help alleviate anti-social behaviour in the area by giving the people a safe, fun and friendly multi-sports facility they can all enjoy.”
The new facility is located in a Neighbourhood Renewal Area of Dungannon where a high rate of unemployment contributes to economic and social deprivation experienced by people living there. Having approved a contribution of £81,102 from the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund, the Social Development Minister went on to say: “Our Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy seeks to ensure that people living in disadvantaged areas enjoy the same quality of life as everyone else in Northern Ireland. I am delighted that my Department is making a positive contribution to improve the social, physical and economic prospects for people living in the Dungannon Neighbourhood Renewal Area.”
A locally based Neighbourhood Partnership, administered through the Department’s Neighbourhood Renewal programme and supported across the executive, had completed a three year action plan to seek to improve the prospects of people living there. Its core objective is to seek ways to alleviate deprivation in designated neighbourhood renewal areas in Northern Ireland. The new Multi-sports Facility is one small but significant step forward in the implementation of that Action Plan.
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.
2 Dungannon Neighbourhood Renewal Area includes housing estates at the Ballygawley Road, Fairmont and part of Milltown.
3 The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives:
- 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.
4 Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
