Brownlow gets £1.4million boost with DSD funding

Mayor Colin McCusker, Dennis Loney chairman of Brownlow Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership, Dian Heaney Chairperson from Bluestone Business Ltd & Minister McCausland pictured with all those involved with the new business units to be built at Bluestone Business Park. INLM35-856

The funding package was announced by Minister for Social Development Nelson McCausland during a visit this week.

It will enable the Department to start work on a new upgrade of the Bluestone Business Park; £735,000.

The funding has also provided new state of the art changing facilities for Amalgamated Football Club (AFC) Craigavon; £238,560 and provided a 3G pitch for Craigavon City Football Club (FC); £443,000.

Mr McCausland said: “The projects which I have visited today clearly demonstrate my desire to tackle the many causes of disadvantage in our Neighbourhood Renewal Areas.

“They will help to sustain Bluestone Business Park, AFC Craigavon and Craigavon City FC by providing purpose built facilities which will create employment and recreational opportunities for local people of all ages.”

The upgrade of Bluestone Business Park, which will provide eight new business units are targeted at both sustaining and creating new businesses and augmenting existing job opportunities and services within Brownlow. The project will seek to further cultivate entrepreneurship and encourage and assist the formation and development of small businesses.

The Craigavon City FC synthetic pitch, together with a spectator surround is now the base for 14 football teams and is available for use by six local schools during school hours.

AFC Craigavon’s funding enabled the provision of a new building containing changing and shower rooms, disabled and public toilet provision, a referee changing room, meeting room, and storage space. The new changing rooms can also be used by players who use the adjoining Council pitch in matches organised by the Irish Football Association for their Grassroots Development Programme.

Mr McCausland said one of the key success factors is working through partnerships involving the public, private and community sectors. I would like to congratulate the Brownlow Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Board, the Southern Education and Library Board, Craigavon Borough Council and Brownlow Ltd for the role they have played in helping to develop and deliver these three projects.

“Not only will these help to improve the quality of life for local people, but they will continue to contribute to the social, economic, community and physical regeneration of the area.”