WORK is set to start in the coming weeks on new play parks in the Ballyarnett and Brandywell areas after Derry City and Strabane District Council confirmed the appointment of contractors.
The projects are part of Council’s Invest in Play Project, jointly funded from the Social Investment Fund (SIF) which is part of the Executive’s Delivering Social Change Framework.
Through the Community Plan, the programme will develop state of the art play facilities in each of the four Neighbourhood Renewal Areas.
As well as the Brandywell and Ballyarnett projects, new play facilities are planned for Kilfennan Valley Park and at Ballymagroarty Community Centre later in the year following a tender process this summer.
Welcoming the development, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock, said the new play parks will prove a significant addition to the social fabric of the neighbourhoods concerned.
“Work will begin on these projects in the coming weeks and, when completed, the new play parks will provide a social space for families and help encourage young people to take part in regular physical activity,” she said.
“This is a key part of our ongoing commitment to providing play provision around the City and District and to actively encourage healthy choices.
“The play parks are in addition to the Playing Pitches Project which also received funding from SIF and has already seen work starting at Brandywell Stadium and Design Teams being appointed for the Leafair and Corrody Road sites.”
Ciara Ferguson, Greater Shantallow Area Partnership, said that the projects will also help the local community by offering valuable experience to local unemployed people through the Foyle Community Works Programme.
“The Programme is a locally developed pilot employment initiative designed to help those deemed furthest from the labour market to develop and enhance their skills and increase their employability,” she explained.
“It consists of three keys components: exposure to meaningful work experience through a two-year paid placement, the opportunity to complete valuable educational qualifications and skills training and intensive mentoring and personal support.”
“To date 102 long term unemployed have secured a two-year paid work placement with forty-two local host employers based across all areas of the city, both urban and rural.
“In addition, over 80% have gained an accredited educational qualification and approximately 85% have achieved at least one accredited training qualification. The spend to date is £1.554, 347.67.”
Noel Mc Cartney, Chair of the local SIF Steering Group added: “I wish to congratulate all the community and statutory partners who are delivering these projects.
“I would especially like to thank the OFMDFM, now the Executive Office, for their contribution of £9.5 million and Council for their contribution. The FCWP has transformed the lives of the participants and the skills and the training that they have attained will be invaluable to them in the future.
“The pitch and play projects will transform the areas where they are being built and all the projects will make life better for people living in the areas by reducing poverty, unemployment and physical deterioration.
“The Executive Office, through local consultations and the setting up of local steering groups, empowered local people to come up with a local plan based on the needs of the residents of the four Neighbourhood Renewal areas.”
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