New Outdoor Facilities for Killough and Ardglass Opened

A new play park in Killough and refurbished playing fields in Ardglass were officially opened by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council on Tuesday 6 August 2019. The new facilities were opened by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey who attended the events along with Council and other stakeholders.

The Killough play park project was funded in partnership with the Mourne, Gullion and Lecale Rural Development Partnership who along with the council’s investment has made a real difference to providing enhanced facilities for local communities, children and families.

Speaking at the launch of the play park, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “I am delighted to open this play park today and know it will be a fantastic asset for the people of Killough. We strongly believe in the importance of play in a child’s physical and social development; it is an integral part of growing up and we hope everyone enjoys using this facility.”

“The new park highlights the council’s commitment to delivering on the Play Strategy and I can assure everyone that we will continue to improve play facilities throughout the whole council area.”

Ann Grant, Vice Chair of the Rural Development Partnership expressed her delight with the project. She said, “I am delighted to see the completion of the playpark in Killough, one of many others that have opened across the district. The Local Action Group has made a significant difference across district by providing high quality play facilities and continues to invest Rural Development Programme funds for the benefit of all rural dwellers.”

The redevelopment of the Ardglass playing fields was identified in the Council’s Sports Facility Strategy as an urgent priority and was fully funded by the Council, with the works completed by McAvoy Construction.

Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “I’m pleased to see the impact that these redeveloped playing fields are having for the local community. With this being the Ardglass festival’s 50^th anniversary year, Ardglass Football Club ran a soccer competition and Ardglass GAC are running an under 8 football blitz, as part of the year’s celebrations.

“I am delighted that the Ardglass festival has planned so many of their events on the site. This is really a facility for the whole community and all its activities and helps to fulfil the Council’s objective to promote active and healthy communities, in part by delivering high quality facilities as part of its sports strategy.”

The Ardglass project involved upgrading the playing fields to include a new kick-about pitch with mini goals, a 110m x 65m sand carpet sports pitch with portable self-weighted goals, dug-outs and the refurbishment of the existing changing pavilion. The car park and entrance road were extended as well, with two coach parking bays and 20 additional car parking spaces.