05/11/2004
Wastelands to bloom in new £1.4m sports package
Northern Ireland’s most urban wastelands are to get a new lease of life as modern sports facilities, it has been announced today.
Social Development Minister John Spellar revealed that £1.4 million would be devoted to turning 10 neglected packages of land into new Sports Zones, which would bring up-to-date sports facilities into areas of deprivation across the province.
The 10 Sports Zones, which are provided under the recently announced Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, will be developed through a partnership between the Department for Social Development and Groundwork (NI).
Mr Spellar said: “This is an excellent example of a government department and a community venture working together to inject new life into neglected and run down areas.
“There is ample research to show that most people recognise the positive effect that taking part in sport can have on their health and lifestyle and can also encourage them to become involved in community activities. Sport can also have an important spin-off in helping to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime amongst young people and can enhance skill levels.
“My aim is to build on this by encouraging more people to take up or to get involved in some sporting activity. What better way to do this than by providing modern facilities in neighbourhoods where they are badly needed and at the same time regenerating derelict areas.”
The Sports Zone project is being funded under phase II of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy however the location of the 10 Sports Zones has not yet been finalised.
(MB/GMCG)
Social Development Minister John Spellar revealed that £1.4 million would be devoted to turning 10 neglected packages of land into new Sports Zones, which would bring up-to-date sports facilities into areas of deprivation across the province.
The 10 Sports Zones, which are provided under the recently announced Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy, will be developed through a partnership between the Department for Social Development and Groundwork (NI).
Mr Spellar said: “This is an excellent example of a government department and a community venture working together to inject new life into neglected and run down areas.
“There is ample research to show that most people recognise the positive effect that taking part in sport can have on their health and lifestyle and can also encourage them to become involved in community activities. Sport can also have an important spin-off in helping to reduce anti-social behaviour and crime amongst young people and can enhance skill levels.
“My aim is to build on this by encouraging more people to take up or to get involved in some sporting activity. What better way to do this than by providing modern facilities in neighbourhoods where they are badly needed and at the same time regenerating derelict areas.”
The Sports Zone project is being funded under phase II of the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy however the location of the 10 Sports Zones has not yet been finalised.
(MB/GMCG)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.