WORK is to start within weeks on a
£200,000 project to create an outdoor
events area in Newcastle, aimed at
boosting the local economy.
The Department for Communities has
invested almost £600,000 in two projects, which
will focus on land to the rear of the Newcastle
Centre, plus the construction of a skate park and
pump track, which is a purpose-built track for
cycling, in Downpatrick.
The money for the Newcastle scheme will see
the creation of what is being described as a
“flexible temporary events space”, on the site of
the now demolished extension to the building,
which housed an auditorium and was torn down
in late 2022, due to, amongst other things,
structural issues as well as the longstanding goal
of creating an ultra-modern leisure complex in
the heart of the town.
The work will see the site improved to be able
to hold outdoor events.
No structure is being developed on the site as
part of the work, and rather, that the site will be
made suitable for hosting a range of outdoor
events – both of a community nature and
commercial. Details of the funding package were outlined at a meeting of the district council’s Active and Healthy Communities Committee on Monday night.
Local councillors heard that contracts for
funding between council and the department had
now been agreed for both projects.
This means that – in addition to the Newcastle
funding package – the Dunleath Skate Park
Project, due to be delivered by March 2025, will
receive £390,176.36 of DfC funding, in support of
Downpatrick’s Living High Streets framework,
with an additional council contribution of £25,000.
DfC is also funding the flexible temporary
events space at the rear of the Newcastle Centre
with £200,000, with work due to commence in the
coming weeks.
Announcing the funding boost, Communities
Minister Gordon Lyons said the projects “will
create health and wellbeing opportunities and
help attract more people to the town centres and
positively impact the local economy.”
He also noted that the Dunleath project, which
will be built close to the town’s leisure centre,
was identified as a high priority project in the
recently published Downpatrick Living High
Streets Framework.
The district council’s chairperson, Valerie
Harte, said the new temporary event space to be
developed in Newcastle “has the potential to
serve the community by transforming into a
vibrant, multifunctional outdoor events facility.”
Confirming that the project will create “a
suitable finished surface for various activities
such as outdoor events and artisan markets,”
Cllr Harte continued: “This inclusive space, with
the potential for commercial and community
events and recreational activities, will enhance
the town centre, creating opportunities for local
businesses and increasing footfall.”
She also outlined how Newcastle Chamber of
Commerce engaged with the council “with the
aim of making the best possible use of this site”
and thanked the business group’s members “for
their valuable input.”
As for the Downpatrick project, Cllr Harte, and
council deputy chair, Cllr Gareth Sharvin, said
the project, once completed, will deliver a facility
which will be enjoyed by a wide range of users,
including children and young people.
“I would like to thank the Department for
Communities for this significant financial
support. As a council, among our key priorities and supporting a reinvigoration of the high
street.
“As the Dunleath Park project was one of the
priorities of the Downpatrick Regeneration
Working Group’s Living High Streets Framework
I would also like to thank the group for their
ongoing support of this project,” she said.
Cllr Sharvin added: “The Dunleath Park
project will provide a free, safe, off road, skate
park and pump track.
“As well as improving opportunities for
physical activity, it is hoped the facility by Down
Leisure Centre will also increase visitors to
Downpatrick town centre via linkages from
Dunleath Park.”
