Ballymote Site Visit - 12 February 2010

Member of Parliament, Mr Chairman, District Councillors, distinguished guests I am delighted to be here in Downpatrick to view at first hand the excellent progress which is being made on the flagship Ballymote Centre project.

This project has been many years in the making and it must be gratifying for the local groups the Ballymote Community Project Ltd, the Flying Horse Community Forum and the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership to see this work now progressing at such a pace.

This project has been made possible as a result of a partnership arrangement involving my Department working with local communities and the various Government Bodies and Statutory Agencies to bring about real benefits to people in this area. I am delighted that my Department has been able to take the lead in this regard and, most importantly, provide funding of almost £1.3 million to make the £4 million project happen.

This scheme will leave a legacy in this area creating employment and opportunity for the local residents and providing a community hub for the area. The sports facility will provide opportunities for people of all ages to become involved in sporting activities thus helping to improve their health and well being as well as creating a sense of community.  

Since becoming Minister for Social Development I have made it clear that tackling deprivation and regenerating town centres is high on my list of priorities and as many of you will know I have been able to back this up with action. To date my Department has approved funding of almost £2.5 million on a range of projects in the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Area.  This has enabled us to lever in a further £3.4 million from other funders. This investment of just under £6 million has allowed us to provide new sports facilities, playgrounds and environmental improvements together with projects to improve the health and well being of the residents of the Neighbourhood Renewal Area.

But my attentions are not simply limited to the Neighbourhood Renewal Area. Later on this year work will commence on a £3 million public realm improvement scheme for the town centre. This is a massive investment which will transform the St. Patrick’s Square, Market Street, Scotch Street, Grove and St. Patrick’s Avenue areas of the town. It will finance the upgrading of footpaths, the provision of new street lighting, and street furniture and the improvement of the open spaces thus creating space for civic events. It will make the historic town centre a more attractive place for shoppers, visitors and potential investors.

Last month I launched the consultation into the proposed masterplan for the town centre.  This will advise on transportation, access and parking changes for the town and will also identify key town centre sites making recommendations on their development. The investment in the Masterplan will be a major boost for the regeneration of the town centre and will help guide the town through the challenges of the current economic climate.

I want to conclude by thanking all the other funding bodies without whom this massive project could not have happened:- Sport Northern Ireland, the International Fund for Ireland, the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety, the South Eastern Trust, the South Eastern Education and Library Board and Down District Council who has also agreed to manage the project. I want also to congratulate the contractor, Bowen Mascott for the excellent progress which is being made on the ground, and again I want to congratulate the local community, particularly the Ballymote Community Project Ltd, the Flying Horse Community Forum and the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership and to wish them all every success in the future.

Thank you