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A state of the art £7.6m sports centre is to be built at the University of Ulster's Coleraine campus.
The project is the largest single investment ever at the campus for student support.
Professor Robert Hutchinson, campus Provost, said the new centre underpins the university’s plan of consolidating activities at Coleraine.
Architects GM Design have been commissioned to begin design work on the project, which is planned to go on site in spring 2010 for completion in 2011.
It is to be constructed close to existing student residences.
Welcoming the news, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Barnett said: "Our aim is to create world-class sports facilities on our campuses that will enable Ulster athletes to compete and win at the highest levels of international sport.
"This development will complement our facilities at Jordanstown, and confirms our commitment to the important role of the Coleraine campus in Ireland’s leading University for sport."
He said it is "a matter of regret" that difficulties with the acquisition of suitable land close to the Magee campus have hindered the university from creating a similar facility in Londonderry.
"However, progress is being made on the acquisition of lands at Foyle and Londonderry College, and we hope those hurdles will soon be overcome," he added.
Dr Nigel Dobson, Director of Sports Development and Services, said the new centre will offer indoor training facilities for soccer, Gaelic games and rugby, as well as a fitness suite and a strength and conditioning suite.
"It will boast a main hall with a 3G indoor hall of the kind installed at Jordanstown, and there will also be an ancillary hall with facilities suitable for basketball, martial arts, dance, and more."
Dr Dobson added: "Over the years, we have worked closely with the Coleraine and north coast sporting communities to develop many excellent sporting initiatives. This exciting new facility will enable us to take those relationships to a new level of sporting excellence."
(PR/KMcA)
