Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's projects in Newcastle and Downpatrick have secured major funding from the Department for Communities (DfC).

The Council is planning to construct a Dunleath Skate Park and Pump Track and a temporary events space at the Newcastle Centre site. Contracts for funding between Council and DfC had now been agreed for both projects.

The Dunleath Skate Park Project, which is scheduled to be completed by March 2025, will receive £390,176.36 from DfC and £25,000 from the Council for Downpatrick's Living High Streets framework. The DfC has allocated £200,000 for a temporary events space at the Newcastle Centre, with construction set to begin shortly.

Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons MLA said: "I am pleased to be able to support the Dunleath Skate Park that was identified as a high priority project in the recently published Downpatrick Living High Streets Framework. This project along with the new events space at the Newcastle Centre will create health and wellbeing opportunities and help attract more people to the town centres and positively impact the local economy."

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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Cllr Valerie Harte said: "I would like to thank the Department for Communities for this significant financial support. As a Council, among our key priorities are attracting more people into our town centres and supporting a reinvigoration of the High Street. As the Dunleath Park project was one of the priorities of the Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group’s Living High Streets Framework I would also like to thank the group for their ongoing support of this project.

"In Newcastle, the new temporary outdoor event space at the rear of the Newcastle Centre has the potential to serve the community by transforming into a vibrant, multifunctional outdoor events facility. This will involve creating a suitable finished surface for various activities such as outdoor events and artisan markets. This inclusive space, with the potential for commercial and community events and recreational activities, will enhance the town centre, creating opportunities for local businesses and increasing footfall.

"This temporary space has become available following demolition work at the rear of the Newcastle Centre. Newcastle Chamber of Commerce engaged with the Council with the aim of making the best possible use of this site and I would therefore also like to thank them for their valuable input."

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Deputy Chairperson, Cllr Gareth Sharvin, added: "The Dunleath Park project will provide a free, safe, off road, skatepark and pump track that can be enjoyed by a wide range of users, including children and young people. As well as improving opportunities for physical activity, it is hoped the facility by Down Leisure Centre will also increase visitors to Downpatrick town centre via linkages from Dunleath Park."