This was recently announced as one of six major capital projects supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The project will receive €15,383,951.00 investment from PEACEPLUS. Newry Mourne and Down District Council has made an indicative offer of £500,000 towards the project, with Down Gaelic Athletic Association contributing a further £2m from their own and GAA resources.
The project will be developed by Down GAA as lead partner, with the support of main project delivery partners Co-operation Ireland and County Down Rural Community Network.
The PEACEPLUS funding will provide a covered spectator seating area, indoor Multi Use Games Area, a walking trail, a fitness suite, heritage museum, administrative block and community facilities. Thousands of people are expected to benefit from the new facilities when completed and it is hoped they will bring people together, promote better understanding and trust, and provide communities with improved services and infrastructure.
Guests, including SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre, arrived at the Ballykinlar site and were given an overview of the ambitious proposals, before being taken on a tour of the vast site, which includes a portion of lands leased by Down GAA through a historic agreement reached with the Ministry of Defence.