Newry Chamber welcomes the news that £16.2 million in funding has been unlocked for Newry City Park, one of our city’s most ambitious regeneration projects.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s Outline Business Case (OBC) for the park has now been approved by the Department for Communities and a Contract for Funding issued, opening access to £16.2 million from the Executive’s City/Growth Deal Complementary Fund.
At a meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council on Monday 4th December, councillors approved the funding contract which will allow for the appointment of an Integrated Consultant Team to plan the park.
The Council is also underwriting £2.4 million to deliver the 15-acre City Park as part of Phase One of the project.
A temporary community space at the Newry City Park site is also now officially open following a recent award of £220,000 from the Department for Communities (DfC) to the Council.
The funding allowed an upgrade of part of the Albert Basin site for temporary community use while work progresses on Newry City Park which is expected to be completed by May 2027.
Edwina Flynn, President of Newry Chamber commented:
“This is a landmark day for Newry and a huge step forward in the delivery of Newry City Park. This project will be truly transformational and will be a fantastic facility that will help to promote Newry as a great place to live, visit, work and do business.”
“The announcement that the funding has now been signed off means we can now get on with delivering a world-class open space between our two unique waterways in the heart of our city that will be the envy of cities across these islands.”
Cllr Valerie Harte, Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson said:
“I am delighted the Contract for Funding for Newry City Park has now been issued by the Department for Communities. I, along with many other residents, were excited to see the plans for Newry City Park come to life in the recently released visuals for Phase One.”
“Our focus is now on taking the project through detailed design, planning approval, contractor appointment and delivery on site through to completion by May 2027.”
Cllr Gareth Sharvin, Deputy Chairperson of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council added:
“I also welcome the Contract for Funding being issued for Newry City Park and was pleased today to attend the official opening of the new temporary community space at the Newry City Park site, where Playboard NI delivered a free play event for local children.”
“As we progress with Newry City Park as a priority, this excellent interim use of the Albert Basin is an exciting development for the City Centre, creating a shared outdoor space for the community in the heart of the city.”
“Congratulations and thank you to all involved, particularly our funders, the Department of Communities and Council contractors and suppliers on the delivery of the works.”
Co-chairs of the Newry City Centre Regeneration Programme Board, Cllr Declan Murphy and Cllr Doire Finn also welcomed the latest developments.
Cllr Declan Murphy commented:
“We are delighted at the successful conclusion of the rigorous review process for the Council’s OBC and thank DfC for their dedicated work during this process. We look forward to the planned transformation of this urban space and also welcome the opening of the temporary outdoor space for the community in the heart of the city.”
Cllr Doire Finn said:
“We look forward to the planned transformation of this urban space and bringing new life to this prime location along the new Carlingford Lough Greenway. We are committed to delivering a City Park of which Newry can be proud and will continue to work with our partners to ensure its delivery.”
Colum Boyle, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Communities said:
“The Department for Communities is committed to the development of cities, towns and villages. This is very much a collective effort, with local councils, delivery partners and the communities themselves all involved. In this spirit of collaboration, I welcome the next stage in the regeneration of Newry City Park.”
“This project will play a key role in making Newry an even more attractive place to live, work and visit. It will provide significant health and wellbeing benefits for residents of the City and the surrounding area.”
“I am also pleased that the Department was able to provide additional funding for the interim event space at the Newry City Park site, which will add to the vibrancy of the City Centre.”