Where others are dithering as to where to locate a new sports stadium at Lisburn (Long Kesh) or Belfast, the management committee of the Clones/Erne East Partnership, it takes in Clones and south Fermanagh, will witness this Summer the first sod being cut in a seven million euro sports stadium which will cater or minority as well as majority sports.
Already, the design has been drawn up and, in fact, it was used to secure the funding from Peace Three monies under the programme, 'Contributing to a Shared Society and Creating Shared Public Space'.
The idea, however, wasn't hatched overnight, as Fermanagh Councillor, Thomas O'Reilly, the chairman of the he Partnership explained. Indeed, he congratulated all those people who, for the past eight years, were involved in drawing together the various elements of the proposed sports arena, not least Josephine Trainor of the Clones Forum.
For the record, the project will feature three major pitches, one a multi-purpose, the second a GAA pitch and the third a third generation multi-purpose, all-weather pitch. Around this latter pitch there will be an eight-lane 400 metre running track. Elsewhere, there will be a walking/jogging track, a bowling green, tennis courts, cricket creases and provision for basketball and volleyball.
The entire arena will be located across from St Tiernach's Park and, in fact, the present training pitch familiar with inter-county GAA players will be relocated to fit in with the scheme.
Thomas O'Reilly was upbeat, both at the prospect of an eight-year dream coming true and at he high level of support received from schools and community groups.
"Everybody came in behind us", he stated. "It is a major scheme, indeed it's an iconic flagship project for the Clones/Erne East region. At the end of the day, it's all about giving people the opportunity to participate in sport in what will be a high standard development.
"Once it's up and running, we will be looking to getting people to be as active as possible by making these facilities available to them. I'm thinking of those who are in the 50 years-plus bracket as well as young people".
He confirmed that the design work was completed and he expected the work to get under way coming up to this Summer.
