The majority of locals have given their backing to the location of a £400,000 urban sports track in Newry.
Details of a local consultation exercise have now been revealed with overwhelming support for the exciting new facility.
It comes just over two weeks after it was reported the development could be set to replace a controversial plan for a dedicated BMX track in the city.
A major cycling project by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) funded by Special EU Programmes Body money under the PEACE IV programme, had previously faced heavy opposition from the local community at its proposed Derrybeg location.
Public consultation on the new concept design at Newry Leisure Centre grounds for a multiple urban sports park, located a short distance from the original BMX site, has now closed.
And Sinn Féin Councillor Geraldine Kearns has said there is clear community support for the urban sports track.
She said: “The recent consultation of the community in the Meadow has shown the overwhelming local support for the development of an urban sports track in the area.
“Of the 150 respondents, 120 responded positively, the majority of which were strongly positive.
“In addition to the online consultation there were letters sent to residents in the vicinity of the project, the majority of which again responded positively to the proposed project.
“The urban sports track would represent an investment of £400,000 into the city and create an excellent facility for urban sports, the popularity of which is growing all the time.
“With the funding for this project being time bound, it’s imperative that the council moves quickly to ensure the delivery of this new facility for people in Newry.”
