A new £600,000 sports pavilion is set to be developed in the County Antrim village of Kells.

Work has begun on the site of the Kells Playing Fields on Station Road to deliver a new single storey pavilion with modern facilities including changing rooms, toilet facilities, first aid room, meeting room, and storage and plant rooms. Additional car parking will also be provided adjacent to the pavilion and pedestrian access from the Station Road will be upgraded to improve accessibility by the community.

The site currently has one grass pitch and one Multi Use Games Area pitch and the facilities are heavily used.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Maureen Morrow, said: "This project will provide the benefit of increased physical activity options in the Kells area by creating a pavilion at the existing playing field. It will improve the village's amenities and environment for the benefit of the local community and visitors to the area."

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As part of a consultation process with the local Kells and Connor community, a village plan was developed for the area which identified the need for new and improved facilities as one of its key priorities.

Funding of £471,284 has been secured through the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs EU Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 Village Renewal Scheme for the provision of a new pavilion.

Work commenced on the scheme in February and is expected to be complete in early Summer 2020.

Chairperson of Kells & Connor Community Improvement Association, David Grant, added: "The new pavilion is a very welcome project for the community of Kells & Connor. 

"I am delighted a promise for many years is now being fulfilled. It completes our suite of football and sporting facilities for this area and I would like to thank DAERA, the council, their officers and also Connor church for their long term commitment to the delivery of this project."

(CM/MH)