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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Shaun Keenan

Fort George: MyDerry readers tell us what they want to see built on derelict site

As a Derry native, at some point in your life, you've definitely had a chat with family and friends about what you'd like to see built at the derelict Fort George site.

The 11-acre site on Strand Road, a former military base, is owned by the Department of Communities and is situated on the west bank of the River Foyle.

In 2004, DfC acquired the site from the Port and Harbour Commissioners at a cost of £12 million.

Read more: MyDerry readers give their suggestions for what should happen with Austins

Most recently, Sinn Fein's Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey agreed that Fort George could be the location of a new Health and Care Centre for the Western Trust in Derry.

The development of a Cityside Health and Care Centre is anticipated to create 250 new permanent jobs as well as centralising approximately 450 posts in a modern state of the art facility.

The positions will include nursing, social work, allied health professional and administrative roles as well as the relocation of a number of GP surgeries.

And while some people welcomed the decision, not everybody who heard the news was exactly enthusiastic.

So, we decided to ask our readers if it was up to them what they'd like to see built.

Here are some of the responses.

Richard Campbell said he'd like to see a recreational complex built. He said: "Build a massive entertainment complex with no car parking facility same as millennium forum."

Sandra Smyth suggested building a concert venue at the site. She commented: "Definitely a concert venue. We'll lose Ebrington when the hotel is built and there's nowhere else for even a medium-size concert. Artists would come if there was the capacity for a big gig. Not interested in four-figure attendances."

Meanwhile, Danny English said that the site should be used to give back to the local community and to those most in need.

He added: "Pop up soup kitchens, food banks, homeless shelters, are all going to be needed if the fuel poverty and cost of living crisis isn't addressed immediately.

"Fort George has been lying derelict for years, if it was in Belfast, it would've been built on as soon the corrugated tin came down."

Michelle Connolly commented: "An amazing water park or something like the W5 for the children that have frequently changing exhibition zones and interactive activities for children of all ages and abilities.

"As a childminder, I find very few activities for children when the weather isn’t the best."

If you would like to see the full list of suggestions, you can do so HERE.

Read more: City of Derry Airport granted £3m in funding

Read more: MyDerry readers tell us the one new shop they want in the city

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