MAYOR of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Brian Tierney, has performed the official first sod turning ceremony on improvement works at two sports grounds in Castlederg.
The training pitch drainage works at land owned by Dergview Football Club and St Eugene’s GAA Club form part of the Castlederg Shared Space Project.
The project is funded to the scale of £293,000 by PEACE IV and is administered by the Special EU Programmes Body which is also delivering a programme of events and activities and a green infrastructure master plan for Castlederg.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Brian Tierney, welcomed the start of work at the site which he said was particularly good news for those involved in football and athletics.
“I am delighted that work to progress these important rural sports projects is underway,” he said.
“Council is committed to investing in sport and better facilities that promote a healthy and active lifestyle across the City and District and in particular in rural communities.
“This is great news for the people of Castlederg and I look forward to visiting the sites and seeing these pitches in use when work is completed.”
Dergview FC chairman, Mr Roy Lecky, said: “As a rural football club we are delighted that this project has reached this stage and that works will start onsite.
“This is a much needed investment in rural sporting provision and will stand Dergview FC in good stead as we continue to develop as a club both on and off the pitch.”
Echoing Mr Lecky’s comments, Chairman of St. Eugene’s GAC, Mr Brian Meehan added: “To receive this level of investment at this time is fantastic for our club and the wider community.
“Drainage is a long standing issue that costs the club year on year so we wholeheartedly welcome both the funding and that works will get underway shortly.”
The work will be completed by Martin Contracting Services and is anticipated to be completed by late 2020, weather permitting.
