Council Plans Advance for Multi-Sport 3G Pitch at Newry’s Jennings Park

A Newry, Mourne and Down District Council plan for a new multi-sport 3G pitch at Jennings Park in Newry has taken a significant step forward.

The Council is to submit a bid for financial support to the Northern Ireland Football Fund’s Grassroots Facilities Programme Stream 2 to pave the way for the exciting new facility.

A formal planning application has already been lodged for the new 3G surface that will replace existing grass pitches with two soccer pitches and one full-size GAA pitch. 

The development will be jointly funded by the Council and the Football Fund’s Grassroots Facilities Programme, if the bid for financial assistance is successful, with the proposal including floodlighting, ball-stop fencing, drainage, perimeter paths and associated works.

A decision to submit a bid for financial support – which must be lodged by 26 April - was taken at a meeting of the Council’s Active and Healthy Communities Committee on 16 March and has to be formally ratified by the full Council when it meets next month.

The proposed development will cater for football, Gaelic games and rugby and significantly increase the time the new pitch can be used, helping reduce cancellations due to poor weather conditions which impact on the current grass surface, rendering it unplayable at times.

The significant shortfall in access to synthetic sports facilities within the Newry District Electoral Area (DEA) was highlighted in the Council’s wide-ranging sports facilities strategy and multi-sport hub strategic review.

An examination of current provision revealed a shortfall of around 40 hours per week of football training capacity in the Newry area, with existing facilities unable to meet current demand from clubs and community users.

Council consultations with sports clubs indicated that demand across football and GAA equated to over 80 hours of weekly training need, demonstrating a significant gap between available facilities and existing participation levels.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell said, “This is a very exciting development that will cater for a range of sports as the synthetic surface will not be rendered unplayable in poor weather.

“The floodlit facility will ensure sustained use during the winter months and the new surface will be a real asset to the sports community in the Newry area. Most significantly, the new pitch will provide a reliable all-weather facility, capable of supporting year-round training and match preparation.”

Cllr Campbell said given its location close to Newry Leisure Centre where parking, changing facilities, toilets and accessibility features are available, the Jennings Park investment will support a wide network of sports clubs.

“This proposal will provide Newry with a superb sports pitch facility and represents a welcome investment in the future for many clubs who will be able to use Jennings Park more than ever before,” the Chairperson continued.

Cllr Campbell said that in addition to increased playing time and reliability, the 3G sports pitch will provide improved access to training for clubs and community groups.

“Football, GAA and rugby clubs can use the new 3G surface which paves the way for increased participation in sport and physical activity which is good for everyone, leading to improved health and wellbeing outcomes in the community and supporting the Council’s wider sports development objectives,” the Chairperson added.

Currently, 24 football teams, including ladies’ sides and eight GAA Clubs, operate within the wider catchment area, utilising facilities within the Newry area.

The Council said that collectively, the sports teams and clubs represent over 800 active sports members, highlighting the scale of participation and the need for improved sports infrastructure to support training and match preparation.