The opening of the play park, in the Greater Village area of South Belfast, will include the provision of a multi-games court, new play equipment and safety surfacing.
Minister Ritchie said: “This project has brought a renewed sense of community identity and pride. I hope the park will be used and enjoyed by local residents thereby enhancing their quality of life. This is a key aim of Government’s Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.
“The renovation of the Nubia Street park is a remarkable achievement and demonstrates what can be accomplished by working in partnership. It has regenerated a rundown area into an attractive space for the local community. The support my department is providing will complement the work already undertaken by local residents, Greater Village Regeneration Trust and Belfast City Council.”
The department, through the Belfast Regeneration Office, has provided funding of £60,000 through the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme toward the provision of facilities at the Nubia Street play park.
Chairman of the Council’s Parks and Cemeteries Committee, Councillor Bob Stoker said: “This is a perfect example of our Open Space Strategy at work. Communities are encouraged to take ownership and responsibility for their local parks and Belfast Regeneration Office must be congratulated on helping the local community to develop and take ownership of this much needed facility. This new playground and games court will provide a focus for all of the community.”
Notes to Editors:
1. Greater Village Regeneration Trust officially reopened Nubia Street Park on 15 May 2008. The regeneration scheme received financial support from Belfast Regeneration Office under its Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, the NI Sports Council and the Western Education and Library Board.
2. Nubia Street Park is within the Greater Village area of South Belfast, which is one of the top 10% deprived areas in Northern Ireland.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. For further information please contact the DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
