Down GAA has hailed the award of over £12.6million in funding to develop a “transformational” new centre of excellence at Ballykinlar.
The Down county board announced that the funding has been confirmed from the EU-supported PEACEPLUS Programme for the development of the Ballykinlar Centre of Participation, Wellbeing and Shared Learning Hub.
“We are excited at the prospect that our plan will finally come to fruition,” said Down county board chairperson John Devaney. “This is an iconic project that has the potential to be transformational for those involved and those who will benefit.”
The 30-acre site will be developed by Down GAA as lead partner, with the support of main project delivery partners Co-operation Ireland and County Down Rural Community Network (CDRCN).
The project represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the UK Government, the Irish Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive.
According to Down GAA, the provision of funding through the PEACEPLUS Re-imaging Communities Programme “will bring an historic project to reality.” It has evolved from an historic agreement between Down GAA and the Ministry of Defence, which has led to a lease for Down GAA to develop part of the Ballykinlar estate.
The proposed 30-acre development will include four full-size GAA grass pitches (three of which are floodlit), a covered spectator seating area, indoor Multi Use Games Area, a walking trail, a fitness suite, heritage museum, administrative block and community facilities.