A DESIGN team for the new Down GAA hub at Ballykinlar is to be appointed in the coming months.
This was confirmed by Down GAA chairperson Maureen O’Higgins during a pre-development tour of the site for invited guests – which included representatives from the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), an Irish Government minister and local elected representatives – on Thursday.
In November, it was confirmed that €15,383,951 had been awarded – through the PEACEPLUS Programme managed by SEUPB – to the Ballykinlar Centre of Participation, Wellbeing and Shared Learning Hub, which received planning permission in 2021.
Down GAA will contribute £2m towards the project, and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has made an indicative offer of a £500,000 contribution.
The 30-acre hub – being developed by Down GAA with the support of Cooperation Ireland and County Down Rural Community Network – will include: four full-size GAA grass pitches (three of which are floodlit); a covered spectator seating area; an indoor multi-use games area (MUGA); a walking trail; a gym/fitness suite; a heritage museum/interpretive centre; and an administrative block and community facilities.
Read the full story in the current issue of the Mourne Observer, as the officials outline the next steps for the project to progress.
