Urban Sports Centre update

Project promoters, not-for-profit body, ACUSA (the Antrim County Urban Sports Association), is working with Ballymena Council with the aim of gaining a permanent indoor freesports facility catering to skateboarders, BMX Riders, inline skaters etc., in the borough.

Giving an update to a Council committee last Monday night, Council’s Co-Director of Development, Leisure and Cultural Services, Aidan Donnelly reminded members that back in February agreement had been given at committee level to provide a maximum of £350,000 for the project, subject to pre-requisite conditions being met by the promoters.

These included - planning opinion, match funding being in place, a business plan, basic plans showing the main elements and location of the centre, and the lease or sale being in place.

While, Mr Donnelly said the project “is moving in a positive way”, he stated that a decision to go to the economic appraisal stage could not be progressed until the business plan had been completed and external funding secured.

He added that funding resources were being pursued by ACUSA from the Ireland Fund and the Urban Development Grant and that the development of a Business Plan is ongoing.