Steelstown Brian Óg's agree Ballyarnett long term lease with Council

In a statement issues within the last hour, Steelstown Brian Óg's Gaelic football club has welcomed the decision by Derry City and Strabane District Council yesterday (October 25) to agree a long term lease on land at Ballyarnett Country Park.

It said the land would be used for the development of a second full size GAA pitch.

It continued: "This is not a sale as reported initially. Steelstown Brian Ógs has been growing rapidly in recent years, with a lot of progress on and off the field, in both men's, ladies and underage football activities. We have now one of the biggest memberships in both Derry GAA and Ulster. The need for another full sized playing pitch has been evident for some time and over the last number of years, a lot of discussions have taken place to make this possible.

"We would like to acknowledge the engagement and support from our local councillors and their understanding of the importance of this project for the development of GAA in our area. We are heartened to have unanimous support amongst council members, including the independents and unionist parties. In particular, we extend thanks to Brian Tierney and Sandra Duffy, who proposed and seconded the motion at Council yesterday.

"GAA activities have been experiencing a surge in popularity across the city in the last two decades. We are proud to offer Gaelic Football for boys and girls from the age of four right up to our adult and social teams, with men and women in their 50s playing in our Recreational men's and Gaelic for Mothers and Others teams. Our senior men and senior ladies compete at the highest levels of senior football in County Derry. This project will help address the current shortfall of GAA playing pitches in the local area. 

"We undertook consultation from the local community and political representatives over the last number of years and months. An initial proposal went through council committee and full council membership in November 2022 for a long term lease of land in Ballyarnett Country Park. Before the lease was signed, new LPS valuations were required and a new map area was produced by council to take account of access to the area approved and provision for parking ets in addition to the pitch area.

"Steelstown Brian Ógs are determined to amke the project successful for all of our local community and further add to the potential of Ballyarnett Country Park. We will be delighted to see other aspects of the country park developed alongside the new playing pitch. As a GAA club, community and club is at the heart of the Association. We are committed to active lifelong participation for all with safe and inclusive facilitiesand environments for everyone."

Steelstown Brian Ógs GAA