Rural Development Minister Michelle O'Neill has officially opened a new 3G MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) at Clonoe outside Coalisland.

Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, as part of their ‘Recreational and Healthy Living Hubs’ programme funded under Axis 3 of the RDP through South West Action for Rural Development (SWARD), has in partnership with Clonoe Rural Development Association and Clonoe GAA, provided a MUGA facility in Clonoe. The Council received a funding investment of £105,000 from SWARD toward the MUGA.

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The Minister said: "Health and wellbeing is increasingly being recognised as being of importance in regard to its impact on rural communities. Many rural communities remain isolated in relation to service provision. I am delighted that the council, with funding support from SWARD under the Rural Development Programme, has developed this 3G MUGA in Clonoe, which should ensure that children have appropriate play opportunities in a safe environment.

"The project has emerged following the identification of a need by the community and will be an open facility jointly managed by Council and Clonoe Rural Development Association through a partnership arrangement. Recreation and play and its associated benefits can act as a motivator for children and young people to pursue physical activity through sports participation in later years, with its benefits for both physical and social development and mental well-being."

(CD/MH)