Young people in Laurelvale are set to benefit from the development of a new £87,000 playground by Armagh City and District Council.

The eagerly awaited facilities, funded by the Council, have been the culmination of several years of planning and consultation with the local community, after a survey of local residents was carried to identify the play needs of the local community in 2005.

A clear need for a new play area was established, with the survey also indicating it should be developed in the Pond area of the village.

All Play Agencies, one of Northern Ireland’s leading designers and suppliers of play equipment, has been appointed contractor for the development and it is anticipated all work will be completed by the end of September 2007.

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Heather Black, local Councillor and member of the Council’s Executive Committee, said: "A public meeting was held in April this year to help get residents’ views on plans and make suggestions in relation to the development of the play area. So it’s very exciting to see work on the playground underway, with new play equipment, basketball and football goal ends all being installed.

"This is an exciting and important development for the village, as we know there needs to be an improvement in provision of facilities and services for young people. So hopefully this new playground will go some way towards helping enhance the quality of life for children and teenagers in the area."

Local people’s views that lighting should also be an integral part of the scheme in order to combat anti-social behaviour in the area have been included in the Council’s programme of works.

The hedge along the front boundary of the site has been removed and replaced with new fencing, with the Road Service agreeing to carry out work to improve the existing footpath.

(JM/SP)