Donegal County Council, in association with the Football Association of Ireland, will on Tuesday 28th April 2009 officially open three multi-functional mini pitches at
- Colaiste Cholmchille, College St., Ballyshannon at 10am
- Scoil Cholmcille, Newtowncunningham at 2pm
- Ard Kilbride, Carndonagh at 3.30pm
The facilities will be opened by the Mayor of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Gerry Crawford in association with Mr. Packie Bonner, Technical Director of the Football Association of Ireland.
Funding from the Football Association of Ireland, in conjunction with the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism, amounting to €35,000 in each instance was provided to each of the mini pitches. The balance of the funding in the region of €90,000 in each case was provided by Donegal County Council and saw the projects being brought to completion. While the primary purpose of the mini pitches is the playing of soccer, they are also multi functional in the context that they can be utilised for basketball, badminton and other court games and are a very important recreational resource in the areas in which they are located.
Commenting this week on the launch of the facilities, the Mayor of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Gerry Crawford commented
“The Council is very pleased, in conjunction with the FAI and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, to have facilitated and funded the putting in place of these very important recreation and amenity facilities. Taken in conjunction with the Councils playgrounds, walking routes and recreation/amenity facility development programme, they reflect the Councils commitment throughout the County to put in place quality recreational and amenity facilities to cater for the needs of all age groups in the County.
I am also pleased that we have agreed a partnership approach for ongoing maintenance and management of the facilities with relevant local groups in the areas. This reflects how best the public and private sector can work collectively to their respective strengths and in ensuring that there will be, on the completion of the project, a strong local ownership and commitment to the preservation, maintenance, management and oversight of the local facilities.”
The Council funding was provided through the Development Contribution Scheme under the discretion of each of the Electoral Areas.
For further information please contact Mr. Barry Nelis 074 9172329/087 9547343.
All media invited to respective launch events at indicated times.