Newtownabbey skate park moves to tendering stage

Tendering for construction of a skate park planned for Newtownabbey’s V36 Park is to go ahead despite the project being deferred.
A skate park has been proposed at V36 in Newtownabbey.A skate park has been proposed at V36 in Newtownabbey.
A skate park has been proposed at V36 in Newtownabbey.

The skate park, which has been hailed as “the biggest in Ireland” was deferred by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council in April due to the cost which is undisclosed but is thought to be in the region of £0.5m.

It is anticipated the new sports facility would be able to “offer a first class experience for amateurs and professionals”.

It is one of a number of projects on the local authority’s capital programme, which was deferred due to concerns over a potential loss income caused by the Covid pandemic.

The only capital scheme to be progressed by the borough council this financial year is a new £5m crematorium.

Councillors were told behind closed doors at a meeting of the local authority last week that officers have engaged with the Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB) “to determine whether other Peace Four funds which cannot be spent within the current deadline of December 2021 can be allocated to the project”.

A formal application to utilise any additional funding has been forwarded to (SEUPB).

The skate park project is said to be the only council project at a “sufficiently advanced stage” to utilise any available funding from SEUPB.

The SEUPB had initially agreed to fund the project with an additional sum to be funded by the council.

It is understood that funding of £195,882 for the project has been secured from the Peace IV programme via the Special European Union Programmes Body, with £300,000 of “match funding” to be provided by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

The council’s planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the project last year. It was identified through consultation as “something unique to the area which could deliver significant benefits particularly for young people”.

Welcoming this decision, Alderman Phillip Brett, committee chairperson, said at the time: “The addition of the urban sports park will truly enhance the offer at V36 for all skating and biking enthusiasts.

“The council has engaged with a range of stakeholders to ensure that the design and operation of the sports park will meet the needs of users of all ages and abilities.”

A report is to be brought back to council.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

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