ACRES OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CITY
Derry City Council and Ilex, partners in the joint Masterplan launch of Clooney, Ebrington and St Columb’s Park, welcomed the opportunity to showcase what is potentially the city’s largest collective regeneration site.
The Masterplan will physically connect the three sites covering some 150 acres and socially connect communities within the city and the wider region. The aim of the project is to create a safe, inclusive and shared space for all communities through an integrated partnership approach to regeneration.
Mayor Cllr Helen Quigley speaking after the launch indicated the Masterplans would make a real difference to the social and economic well-being of the city and region with agencies working together for a better future:
“There is a clear unity of purpose and vision in the Masterplans and I am confident this will revitalise communities, renew facilities and help promote social inclusion. It brings shared benefits to the Waterside, city and the region”.
The St Columb’s Park Masterplan aims to realise the potential of St Columb’s Park . It includes proposals for radical landscape development, creation of play space for all ages and abilities, elite sport training and international competition facilities underpinned by community sports facilities and proposals to maximise access and to retain, promote and develop the heritage, tourism, educational and environmental resources of the facility.
Bill Kirk, Chief Executive of Ilex Urban Regeneration Company said he believed the recently published Ilex Regeneration Plan provides an excellent framework for economic regeneration in the city. The proposals for Ebrington include a mixed- use community where commercial, residential and retail space will blend with leisure, culture and tourism facilities. He commented:
“This is the largest single development project in the history of Derry since the building of the Walled City. As such, it is a truly transformational project which will expand the city centre and reinforce the role of Derry as the regional capital of the North West”.
In conclusion the Mayor said:
“This a positive legacy of commitment to create a shared and inclusive civic space that is essential for a shared future. The potential collective outcome of the St Columb’s Park, Clooney and Ebrington Masterplan is substantial and a welcome development for everyone in the city and region.”
The Masterplans are available for public view and comment until the 17th November 2006 and a further information evening is planned for the 18th October at St Columb’s Park House at 7.00pm.
Plans are on view at St Columb’s Park Leisure Centre and the Guildhall from 06th – 20th October, Lisnagelvin Shopping Centre 23rd – 25th October, Foyleside Shopping Centre 27th – 29th October, Guildhall and St Columb’s Park Leisure Centre 30th October to the 17th November.
Ends
For further press information please contact Derry City Council at 028 71 37 6504 or Ilex Urban Regeneration Company at 028 71 26 9226.
Notes to editor:
A summary of St Columb’s Park Masterplan Proposals
· The Masterplan includes a connecting footbridge to the Clooney lands across the Limavady Road and the creation of a new high quality entrance into the Park through the Eastern part of the Ebrington site. Shared development between Ebrington and St Columb’s Park is a proposed development zone of housing as outlined in the Derry Area Plan.
· The physical space of St Columb’s Park is primarily park land, 32 hectares, that will itself go through a radical landscape development, as well as the creation of revitalised play space for all ages and abilities.
· Leisure and sport is key to the development and include a sports campus for the North West that includes expanded leisure provision and centres of excellence for Judo, Football Fencing, Boxing and basketball. There will be new synthetic floodlit pitch provision to accommodate sports such as hockey, football, Gaelic games and rugby and the connection between the pitches at Clooney and the facilities in the park will be central to facilitating the Football Centre of Excellence.
· It is the city’s ambition to increase the opportunities for participation in leisure and sport as it is recognised as a shared interest for all communities. The 2012 Olympics also presents opportunities for training and preparation for these games while our new proposals also provide for high quality competition venue for a range of sports.
· There are also new opportunities for tourism, heritage and education and the masterplan also includes plans to upgrade facilities for St Columb’s Park House, maximising the heritage opportunities for St Brecan’s Chapel and to develop a new visitor attraction through the Botanical Glass House.
Ebrington Proposals
· A foot and cycle bridge and re-located railway station to a point between Ebrington and St Columb’s Park, so creating a major piece of public realm and connecting both river banks.
· A regenerated waterfront with pedestrian and cycle access, creating quality public realm from King Street to St Columb’s Park. Attractions could include an art gallery, hotel, speciality retail, cafes, bars, restaurants and a heritage centre.
· Protected built heritage and the enhancement of the Star Fort (1841) by re-developing listed buildings such as the Clock Tower, the Officers’ Mess and the Cunningham building. These will become a cultural landmark and tourist attraction for the city. Sustainable development principles will be applied to all.