Watersport enthusiasts required
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Ballymena Mayor, Councillor Maurice Millis, gets ready for some water sport action at Newferry’s new tourism facility which was officially opened last week. With the Mayor is Kevin Fitzsimonds of the Bann Rescue Service.
NEWFERRY'S new £511,000 tourism facility is geared at attracting more water-based recreation activity.
This is the hope of Ballymena Mayor, Councillor Maurice Mills, who performed the opening ceremony last Thursday afternoon. The Newferry project includes construction of a reinforced concrete slipway, and new canoe landing steps.
Piling has been put in place for future pontoons while lighting has been installed around the resurfaced car-park.
The complete the project the riverbank has been revetmented and there is new fencing and paths.
The Mayor spoke of a strong partnership with the project promoters, Ballymena Borough Council, Lough Neagh Partnership and Waterways Ireland.
There is also a close working relationship with Newferry Waterski Club.
"The Newferry project will add value to the tourism product on offer within the Borough," Councillor Mills told the audience of invited guests in the marquee in the car-park.
The Mayor later unveiled a plaque to officially declare the new facilities at Newferry open.
Ballymena Council's Economic and Tourism Development Manager, Sean Trainor, said everyone wants to see the new facility flourish at Newferry.
He spoke of the need to bring in new activities and partners.
“Newferry is another product that we can proudly add to our tourism list," said Mr. Trainor.
The Tourism manager said facilities like Newferry can create the potential for the development of a joined up, wide range of activity breaks that the Borough has to offer.
The opening of the new facility at Newferry comes just a few weeks after Ballymena Council launched its own tourism strategy.
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