Regeneration of the North West
 The regeneration of Northern Ireland progressed a little further in the past few weeks with the opening of a multi use games area in Strabane. The announcement was also made naming the contractor who will construct the multi-million pound Guildhall Square/Waterloo Place public realm scheme. Regardless of what you call it, Stroke City, The Walled City, The Maiden City; Derry or Londonderry the city is one of the most picturesque cities in Northern Ireland. It has a population somewhere in the region of over 84,000 people, the last time heads were counted in 2001. Its famous 17th century walls add so much character to the City that has grown so much since its foundation way back some 1400 years earlier.
The City straddles the River Foyle which hugs the banks as it flows towards the towns inland. The bridges which provide a shortcut across the river help give a perfect view for passengers in cars visitors to the north west, with no doubt, cameras at the ready.
Much of the regeneration and development spoken about in these special features seem to centre around the Greater Belfast area, but as much time and effort, and indeed as much blood and sweat is generated by DSD staff, making all parts of Northern Ireland a better place to both live in and visit. The modernisation of this jewel in Northern Ireland’s crown will do so much to bring the 1450 year history of Derry to everyone who visits.
Minister Margaret Ritchie MLA was pleased to announce the appointment of the contractor who will begin preparations for the £7million Guildhall Square / Waterloo Place public realm scheme. The scheme will create a series of high quality public spaces and streetscapes running from Waterloo Place through Guildhall Square to the new development of the DSD owned former City Hotel site at Foyle Street. It will create a modern, vibrant urban landscape incorporating a controlled traffic route through the existing pedestrian zone.
About 15 miles south along the A5 sitting on the border beside Lifford lies the town of Strabane. It has a population of approximately 16,000 and is ‘twinned’ with the little German town of Zeulenroda which has a similar head count.
In Strabane the DSD officials have been hard at work preparing for the official opening of the Melvin Park Multi Use Games area. An investment of £70,000 was made by the North West Development Office through Neighbourhood Renewal. The money targets 10-16 years olds in the latest upgrade to create an enclosed games area.
While she was in the area the minister visited Sigerson’s GAC. Two years ago the department provided £77453 towards the cost of providing floodlights for the football pitch. The Gaelic Athletic Club targets children, young people, men and women to engage in athletic activities. The organization promotes health and wellbeing as well as tackling the problems of child obesity through physical activity.
Change is going on all over Northern Ireland every day with the help of DSD staff and multi-agency co-operation. Many more projects are in the pipeline, many indeed are nearing completion. Completion that sees the Minister’ and the department’s priorities of:-
- investing in affordable social housing;
- building communities and encouraging social responsibilities; and
- creating vibrant cities towns and urban areas
steadily making a difference. A difference for visitors, a difference for you, and a difference for the children and the future of Northern Ireland.
These are articles will continue to keep you up to date with various activities around the country in the months ahead.
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