A new state-of-the-art sports hub has been opened in the suburbs of Belfast.

The £1.8 million Ballybeen Sport & Wellbeing Hub in Dundonald features a new full size grass football pitch realigned on the site, a new enclosed and floodlit 3G training MUGA pitch, changing pavilion, roadside parking and footpaths.

It was developed by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council in partnership with the local community group Ballybeen Improvement Group (BIG).

Speaking at the official opening, Alderman James Tinsley, Chairman of the council's Leisure & Community Development Committee, said: "Discussions on this new sports hub have been taking place for a few years; and we are delighted that it has been opened within a year of planning permission being received. This new sports hub is the latest addition to our assets and we now hand over the responsibility of managing it to BIG, the local community group. We are confident that local football teams and schools will use it all year round and the extended path network around the facility compliments the local highway to heath initiative.

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"Community spirit, health and wellbeing are very important within Lisburn Castlereagh and these new facilities will attract sports players, coaches and teams in addition to uniting families at cross-community sports events and matches. I wish BIG every success as it manages this new facility and we hope that everyone respects this space that is for the enjoyment of everyone."

The project was supported with £160,000 funding from the European Union's PEACE IV Programme, which is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. Match-funding would also have been provided by The Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

(CM/MH)