Derry City and Strabane District Council has received a progress update on over £40 million worth of fully funded capital investment projects being carried out in the region.

Key schemes include the upgrading of the Melvin Arena in Strabane, the Magheramason and Newtownstewart Play Projects and new Community Centres in Top of the Hill, Galliagh and Shantallow. Members also approved allocating £1.88m of funding to continue the projects

Since the inception of the new council, a total of £117m has been invested in capital development.

-- Advertisement --

Council's Lead Finance Officer, Alfie Dallas, said: "The completed and in progress projects to date represent a significant investment by the new Council in capital projects across the City and District.

"The total value of these projects is almost £77m, of which £43.64m has been secured from external sources, representing significant leverage on Council investment. Subject to funding, Council is progressing a range of strategic projects which will require significant investment including strategic leisure projects at Templemore and Strabane, the Canal Basin, Foyle Street and Queen's Quay riverside regeneration projects.

"Council has already allocated a capital sum of £2.447m to progress the strategic leisure projects to detailed business case and design stages. A significant priority for Council in the upcoming rates will be to grow this fund and explore all potential avenues of funding to progress these projects which are already included as part of Council's City Growth Deal proposals."

(LM)