A primary school in County Tyrone has become the new home of a £300,000 multi-sport training facility.

The Department for Communities (DfC) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA) worked to replace the previous grass surface at Augher Central Primary School with a new specialist facility.

The development, which can also be floodlit, is available for use by the school, local sports clubs and members of the community.   

Speaking at a Community Family Fun Event to mark the opening of the facility, Tony Murphy from the DfC Sports branch said: "We are confident that this new facility will offer increased opportunities for participation in sport and physical activity, not only by the young people during school hours, but also for members of the local community of all ages, abilities and genders outside of school hours."

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Paul Donnelly, Director of Rural Affairs in the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA) added: "This project is a great example of collaborative working with a range of partners to maximise the usage of public assets for the benefit of isolated rural communities. I am delighted through our Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Programme DAERA have been able to part fund this facility which contributes directly to our vision for a living, working, active landscape valued by everyone."

The new facility demonstrates one of a number of projects where central and local government are working collaboratively together under 'Your School Your Club' to invest in and enhance school facilities which can be opened up to include use by local sports clubs and communities.

(CM/MH)