THERE is growing ‘anger and frustration’ across Donaghadee that sports facilities in the thriving town have ‘slipped off the council’s list of capital priorities’.
Leading community and elected representatives have issued the united plea ‘when will it be our turn’ for improved sports facilities for the local rugby, cricket, football and hockey clubs.
They have pointed to the council’s recently announced capital investment of around £6.5m for a 3G pitch and sports complex in Portaferry and nearly £3m for a similar pitch in Portavogie and voiced fears that ‘Donaghadee is being left behind’.
Plans for a £9.5m shared sports hub in Donaghadee were first muted back in 2014, however these failed to progress with the clubs opting to have their facilities improved rather than embarking on a shared hub.
After years of delay, Donaghadee Community Development Association (DCDA) has now called on the council to ‘knuckle down, provide clarity on its capital priorities and set out a realistic timetable for enhanced sports provision in Donaghadee’.
John Caldwell, DCDA honorary secretary, said there was ‘deep disappointment and utter frustration’ that expanded sports provision in Donaghadee ‘appears to have slipped down — or possibly off — the council’s list of capital priorities’.
“As far back as 2014, our then newly formed council published a Pitches Strategy (2014–2020) which clearly identified Donaghadee as a priority area,” explained the community leader.
“It recognised quantitative deficiencies in provision and highlighted the poor condition of football, rugby and cricket facilities. It also identified the need to consider a Sports Hub or Sports Village concept to address ageing infrastructure and unmet demand.
“Since then, Donaghadee has continued to grow rapidly — in fact, it is now the fastest growing town in the borough, with its population having doubled since 1981. The need for expanded, modern sports provision has not diminished, it has significantly increased.”
Mr Caldwell said that ‘hopes have been raised on numerous occasions’ over the past decade through strategies, feasibility discussions, committee statements and informal briefings, ‘only to be dashed again’.
“While we welcome the provision of a pump track under the PEACEPLUS programme, this does not address the fundamental, long-recognised deficiencies in pitch and indoor/outdoor sports infrastructure,” said Mr Caldwell.
“It is particularly difficult for the community to understand the apparent lack of progress when substantial capital investment — including £6.5m for a sports complex in Portaferry — has been announced elsewhere in the borough. Donaghadee residents are entitled to ask: when will it be our turn?”
Mr Caldwell said: “DCDA fully supports the needs and ambitions of our local sports clubs, whose volunteers work tirelessly in challenging circumstances. However, we are concerned that the council appears to be looking primarily to individual clubs to drive proposals forward.
“We believe this issue must be addressed from a community-wide perspective. Sports provision is not simply about supporting clubs — it is about youth development, health and wellbeing, social inclusion, population growth, and creating facilities that serve the entire town.
“Donaghadee currently has limited pitch capacity relative to its growth, no artificial turf provision, and ageing infrastructure that was acknowledged as inadequate over a decade ago. The strategic need has already been identified by the Council itself. What is now required is leadership, prioritisation and delivery.”
Mr Caldwell said: “We call on Ards and North Down Borough Council to knuckle down, provide clarity on its capital priorities and set out a realistic timetable for enhanced sports provision in Donaghadee. The community deserves transparency and commitment.”
Ricky Robinson, secretary of Donaghadee Youth Football Club, said over 300 people had backed his online proposal for a 3G/4G pitch at Donaghadee’s Cromelin Park, that he had submitted to the council through the citizen engagement platform.
Voicing his concerns at the lack of facilities Mr Robinson said: “Donaghadee stands out as the most neglected town in Northern Ireland regarding publicly funded winter outdoor 3G pitches and leisure centres.
“Our research, comparing towns and villages with populations between 2,500 and 11,500, consistently shows Donaghadee at the bottom for 3G/4G facilities and leisure amenities.”
Said Mr Robinson: “Simply put, Donaghadee has nothing. This raises a critical question: Why have our Council, councillors, and government neglected and marginalised our community?
“While I cannot provide that answer, they must. It is imperative that our community demands answers and highlights that Donaghadee deserves to be next in line for the long-promised 3G/4G pitch at Crommelin Park.”
