NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today welcomed the unveiling of a new multi-use games area in Londonderry, a project that received almost £150,000 of funding from the minister's department.

Located in the Waterside area of the Maiden City, the games area offers children and young people the opportunity to participate in a range of sport and leisure activities. The area is housed within the Irish Street Community Centre Facilities, providing a safe environment for youngsters to exercise.

Minister Ritchie said the games area has provided a much-needed facility to the community, in and around Irish Street.

"This project will enable the youth population of the area to participate in sports activities that will help in their personal development and enhance their performance at school," said Ms Ritchie.

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"The well being and education of the young in our society is of paramount importance to us all and I am pleased that we can provide this new Games Area for them. It gives the community and the local people a sense of pride and encouragement and offers a brighter future for the youth who live here," the Minister added.

The DSD, thought its northwest office, employed £48,488 of funding into the scheme - this capital came from the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund. Derry City Council was then tasked with organising the upgrade of the playing pitch.



An additional £93,725 was provided to the scheme through the Department's Local Community Fund and PEACE II Measure 2.11 programmes.

Mayor of Derry, Drew Thompson, who officially opened the games area, said: "The development of the Multi-Use Games Area for Irish Street is great news for the area and will be warmly welcomed by the local community."

"This initiative highlights the importance of partnership working between Council and statutory agencies and local groups in delivering this much-needed facility. This investment will ensure that both children and young people can avail of new opportunities to take part in sporting activities."



Laura Smyth, Chair of the Irish Street Community and Youth Association, said: "This facility will provide a much needed and valuable resource which we hope will be fully utilized within our community and beyond. I would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude on the completion of a major regeneration project within the Irish Street area."

(PR/JM)