Dungannon United Youth Stadium grounds have recently been upgraded with the introduction of a new sporting facility.

The new build project saw the development of a Community Sports Hub at the site, providing space for four changing rooms, a referee's room, a physio room, a fitness suite and a new community meeting room with a coffee dock area overlooking the Black Lough.

Mid Ulster District Council led the project on behalf of Dungannon United Youth with support from the Dungannon Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership.

At the official opening yesterday, 28 October, Arthur Scott, Director for Engaged Communities Group, DfC, said: "The Department is confident that this new facility will offer increased opportunities for participation in sport and physical activity, not only for the young people involved in the Club, but also for members of the local community of all ages, abilities and gender. The Hub will provide the community with greater health options, including education, and I would encourage everyone to avail of the new community facilities that this new build will offer to all residents."

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Speaking on behalf of Dungannon United Youth Joe McAree commented: "As Club Chairperson of Dungannon United Youth I am absolutely delighted that we have reached another milestone in the history of our club. I can remember well when I signed the first lease in 1998, the lease stated that the leasee would spend a minimum of £200,000 upgrading the site. That figure was a little scary at the time but I needn't have worried as we have went on to spend £1.7 million on this site. That was done with the help of grants and a lot of hard work from a lot of volunteers.   

"On this occasion the grant was secured from the Department for Communities with support from the Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership and the Mid Ulster District Council and it goes without saying that our most sincere thanks go to all of them. Without these organisations this project would never have happened and I have no doubt that this new Community Sports Hub will help us build on the success we already have achieved.  Also we cannot forget the great job O'Hanlon Bros Contractors have done in creating this state of the art building."

The project team was also commended for its scope and vision for the facility.

(CM/JG)