Derry City and Strabane District Council has appointed contractors to delivery two new playparks in the Ballymagroarty and Kilfennan areas of Derry.
The parks are two of four to be built in the city at a total cost of £3.1 million, the others being at Ballyarnett Country P\ark and Daisyfield.
The facilities will be funded with £2.8million from the Executive’s Social Investment Fund and £300,000 from Derry City Council.
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council has welcomed the consultancy appointments.
She said revealed Council was working in close partnership with the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), the Caw/Nelson Drive Action Group and Ballymagroarty Community Association to compete the detailed design, costings and procurement of contractors.
She added: “The importance of play and outdoor activities for children cannot be understated, particularly at a time when television and computer games feature so prominently in the everyday lives.
“The Council is committed to play provision in the city and district and to actively encourage children and young people to get involved in play and an active healthy lifestyle.
“We are delighted that communities in Kilfennan and Ballymagroarty are benefitting from this funding and are confident this investment will significantly benefit families in these areas.”
Christy Daniels from the Ballymagroarty Community Association (BCA) said the new play park was a much needed and welcome investment for the area.
He added: We are in an area of high deprivation and lack adequate community facilities for the people of this area.
“The BCA and other community groups have been working tirelessly on this project for many years and it's great to see the work paying off and the project coming to fruition.
“It will be great to see the community finally have a facility that can be used by everyone.”
Linda Watson, co-ordinator of Caw/Nelson Drive Action Group said they delighted the project was finally moving forward with the appointment of the design team.
She added: “We look forward to working with them and on the 31st March the proposed plans will be on display in our Centre for the local residents to come and view.
“If all goes according to plan we will have a new play park, changing facilities and 3G pitch in Caw/Nelson Drive by the summer of 2017 which we are all very excited about.”
Photo shows group pictured looking over plans for play provision in the Ballymagroarty and Kilfennan areas. Seated, from left, are Noel McCartney, chairperson Social Investment Fund (Derry), Johnston Bell and Karla Bruton, Teague & Sally (architect/engineers). Standing, from left, Karen Kirkegaard, Colin Kennedy, Derry City & Strabane District Council, Linda Watson, Crescent Community Cultural Centre, Mildred Garfield, Cllr. Drew Thompson, and Christy Daniels, chairperson Ballymagroarty Community Association. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)
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