The reallocation of funding to sports teams and groups in East Belfast has been praised.
East Belfast Green Party councillor Brian Smith has welcomed the "good news" that a number of organisations in the area will receive a cut of £230,000 worth of funding that has been reallocated from a failed scheme.
A Belfast City Council working group for East Belfast was informed that the planned Westbourne Presbyterian Church/Titanic People project was no longer viable and that its funding would need to be allocated elsewhere.
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It will now see £70,000 given to Cycling Ireland towards plans for a BMX and cycle track at the Henry Jones playing fields, £70,000 to Cregagh Sports Club and £30,000 each to Bloomfield Football Club, Clonduff Football Club, East Belfast Football Club and Glentoran Academy.
The remainder of the funding will be ringfenced for the Bloomfield Community Association.
The motion to reallocated the funding was submitted by DUP Councillor George Dorrian and seconded by Alliance Councillor Michael Long.
Speaking to Belfast Live, councillor Smith said that the funding will be a huge boost to the community sports group in East Belfast that continue to grow in numbers.
He said: "I am very pleased to see that funding has now been allocated to some of the brilliant sports groups and clubs that we have here in East Belfast and I particularly welcome the funding that will soon be coming to Lisnasharragh.
"Councillor Michael Long and I have been pushing to get this funding to the area and I know that it will be well received ande make a huge difference.
"Bloomfield Football Club is the largest in East Belfast and this funding will help to provide new storage facilities and help with their security following arson attacks that it has suffered, while the money for Clonduff will help a growing and valuable community club.
"There are often times that it seems that the Lisnasharragh area is ignored with regards to this kind of funding, with it usually going to other parts of East Belfast, but the need for it is definitely here and I am glad to see that this is being delivered to them."
Councillor George Dorrian said: "This package of support was put together after a series of requests from clubs, and when funding became available I was delighted to be able support a package which will benefit all of East Belfast. I look forward to seeing the outcomes of our investments and as more funding becomes available I hope more clubs and projects can benefit from our support."
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