Much needed employment in the construction industry will follow an £8 million investment in Lisburn.

It was announced by the Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Nelson McCausland, who said that a new basketball facility at Laurelhill College, Lisburn will mean it gets an elite sporting facilities which is "second to none".

The facility will provide space for one thousand spectators and will be used by Laurelhill College during the day and be open to other events in the evening and weekend.

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The basketball/volleyball arena will be built alongside the expansive Sports Hall, astroturf, hockey, football and rugby pitches already located at the school.

The news comes after Lisburn councillors met recently with Mick Harkness, the Director of Participation and Facilities for Sport NI to seek an update on the progress of the scheme.

The former Secretary of State Peter Hain initiated the Elite Facilities Programme in March 2006. It offered funding to improve the NI sporting infrastructure by providing new or improving existing facilities for elite and potential elite NI athletes in Commonwealth and Olympic games disciplines.

The new basketball/volleyball arena will be finished to Olympic specifications.

(BMCC/GK)