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The New Opportunities Fund introduced
a PE and Sport Programme in January 2002 with a
proposed investment in Northern Ireland of £33.75
million. The programme was designed to bring about a
"step-change in the provision and use of PE and
Sports Facilities for young people and for the
community in general throughout Northern Ireland".
On 1st June 2004, the New Opportunities Fund and
Community Fund merged to become the Big Lottery
Fund.
It was agreed that Education and
Library Boards would act as the lead organisations
working in partnership with other local bodies in an
ELB Area Partnership. Subsequently the Western Area
Local Partnership was established chaired by Mr P
Mackey, Senior Education Officer with representation
from NICIE, CCMS, CnaG, Derry City Council, Limavady
Borough Council, Fermanagh District Council, Omagh
District Council, Strabane District Council, Sperrin
Lakeland Healthcare Trust, Sports Council for NI and
voluntary organisations.
Castlederg High School submitted a
bid to the Big Lottery Fund initially in 2002
requesting funding for the provision of a synthetic
pitch, tennis court and pavilion. The pitch would be
located within the school grounds but would be
available for use by all schools and the wider
Castlederg community.
In February 2006, confirmation was
received that the bid had been successful and
funding of £1,003,334 was awarded through the Big
Lottery Fund. Following the initial application,
drawing up the business plan would not have been
possible without the assistance of John Campbell and
Siobhan O'Hanlon (WELB Curriculum Advisory & Support
Service) who were supportive & encouraging at each
stage.
The research and processing of the
application was supported excellently by Maureen
McKeague, Simon Mowbray and Gordon Speer. In
addition the Board of Governors and the entire
Castlederg Community played a large part in the
provision of this outstanding facility.
 
The Principal, Mr Williamson has
been the driving force over the two stages and the
completion of this project fulfils a passionate
personal ambition.
Work began in September 2007 to
prepare the land for the synthetic pitch which has
been constructed on the site of the former
all-weather pitch.
Castlederg High School looks forward to a long and
fruitful partnership with the local schools and
clubs. We as a school owe a great debt to the Big
Lottery Fund and the funders can be assured that the
impact of this project will be huge in terms of
supporting community integration, promoting equality
of opportunity as well as raising PE standards
across all schools. |
