Ulster UniversityA new indoor sports arena planned for Ulster University’s (UU) Londonderry campus has been described as “game-changing” for the city.
UU’s Air Dome is one of six “shared space” projects sharing more than €77m (£65m) of EU funding through its Peace Plus programme.
It will span about 15,000 square metres (3.7 acres) of the disused Foyle College site and include capacity for several thousand spectators.
UU said the dome is “a first-of-its-scale facility for Northern Ireland”.
The arena will house full size pitches for multiple sports including rugby, soccer and Gaelic games.
It will also host community and musical events, the university said.
Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan, UU’s provost, said it was exciting to be able to take the project forward.
“This facility will be quite literally game-changing in terms of enhancing sporting and community facilities in the city and we are delighted to be expanding our offering for both our students and our neighbours in Derry-Londonderry,” Prof Gormley-Heenan said.
Funding from the EU’s Peace Plus initiative was announced earlier this week, it stands at €10.86m (£9.05m).
UU said it would match the funding from the initiative.
The EU funding programme invests in projects in Northern Ireland and border counties and is designed to unite communities and bridge religious and political divides.
Also receiving funding from the EU is the Riverine Project, that will create a 30 acre cross-border park between Strabane in Northern Ireland and Lifford in the Republic of Ireland.
The project, which is to get €16.7m (£13.9m) will host a community heritage engagement programme and a culture and peace activity trail.
A creative arts programme and a shared space connections project are also planned.
Kieran Kennedy, chair of the Strabane Business Improvement District said it is hoped work on the project can start soon.
“They are ready to start and reckon they should be getting shovels on the ground very shortly. This is the final piece of the jigsaw, there is planning approval and now funding,” he told BBC Radio Foyle.
‘Inclusive and welcoming’
Plans to transform the former army barracks at Ballykinlar, County Down into a sports and heritage space, as well as the Reconnected Belfast project and Ballycastle Shared Space Project are also set to get money from the EU.
Northern Ireland’s communities minster Gordon Lyons said the projects receiving funding “will have real and meaningful impact” and will “provide tangible, lasting benefits”.
In the Republic of Ireland the Shannonside Peace Arena will also get EU money from its tranche of investment.
Gina McIntyre of the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) said the projects “will provide places where people can come together, collaborate and engage with one another in a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment”.
“They are crucial for peacebuilding and reconciliation,” she said.