Other News In Brief

Work Starts On Resurfacing Scheme In Cookstown

Construction work has started on a £110,000 major resurfacing scheme on the Lissan Road, Cookstown.

The resurfacing works cover a distance of approximately 770metres from Northland Gardens to Coolreaghs Crescent. The work also includes the resurfacing of approximately 0.4kilometres of footway as well as significant drainage improvements.

Preparatory work has already started on the scheme, which is expected to take a total of four weeks to complete.

A road closure will be required to facilitate the final surfacing of the carriageway. The road closure is scheduled to take place on the third week in January 2016. During this period, traffic will be diverted via Churchtown. Advanced warning signage for the closures will be provided.

Building Work Starts On £5.1m Sports Centre

Construction work to develop a new £5.1 million sports centre for Ulster University has started.

Funded by the Department for Employment and Learning, it will provide a modern sports centre for Ulster University's Coleraine campus.

It will also include eight multi-sport indoor courts, a fitness studio and upgraded changing facilities.

Professor Deirdre Heenan, Provost of Ulster University's Coleraine campus, said: "The new sports facility is a significant investment in the Coleraine campus and will bolster the University's commitment to sport at all levels.

"Opening its doors in late 2016, the centre will help to accommodate the high demand for student sport and create a fitness and wellbeing hub that can be accessed by the local community."

The facilities will be used for a broad range of sporting activities throughout the year including student sports, intervarsity competitions and University club training.

Call For Trust To Drop Plan To Close Gortin Day Care Home

SDLP West Tyrone representative Daniel McCrossan has called on the Western Trust to drop their plan to close Gortin Day Care Home.

Mr McCrossan said: "The Western Trust is on the edge of making a monumental mistake and one that will badly affect our older citizens. The decision to close the Gortin Day Care Centre means the removal of an essential service that has been helping the vulnerable people in this community for almost 30 years.

"They depend on it for entertainment, exercise and socialising, for many it is the highlight of the week. The Trust seems to think that older people only need food and shelter to live.

"Local residents are at a loss as to the rationale behind the Trust's decision. The centre runs at minimal expense and the cost to relocate the service to Newtownstewart will mean even more money will be spent.

"The service cost just under £5,000 last year with travel costing £1,490. A relocation would hike up these costs and would also mean over an hours journey for some rural residents. The disruption would be too much for those living with conditions like Alzheimer's or with complex mobility requirements."

(CD/JP)