Further delays in the opening of a new park in West Belfast has sparked frustration among the community and local representatives.
Páirc Nua Chollann, on the Stewartstown Road, was first expected to open to the public in summer 2021, but after changes in contractors, there have been more proposed dates for opening. A reported phased opening of the £4.75million park has now been postponed "due to health and safety concerns".
Speaking to Belfast Live at the site, which faces the Colin Connect transport hub and Colin town square, People Before Profit representatives said the latest news will "come as a further blow to the young people of the Colin area".
Read more: Belfast's newest park to be called Páirc Nua Chollann
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said: "This development has been beset by delays since the beginning. Whilst we understand a phased opening is not possible at this stage, the delays in delivering this project have been unacceptable.
"Belfast City Council has stated that the park will open at the end of September, and we remain hopeful that this will remain the case. However, it is frustrating that our young people will not have use of this facility during their summer break."
A Council spokesperson said: "Belfast City Council can confirm that work on the redevelopment of Páirc Nua Chollann is due to be completed in Autumn 2022 and the opening date will be announced in due course."
Páirc Nua Chollann will include a new play park, pump track, education zone, and extensive new pathways. The public was consulted over the naming of the park, with a majority local vote opting for the “full” Irish translation Páirc Nua Chollann. It received 317 responses, and accounted for 42.4 percent of the public vote. It replaced a previous option, the English/Irish hybrid “Páirc Nua Colin.”
People Before Profit Cllr Michael Collins added: "The Colin area has the youngest population of any area in Belfast, and this park will be a huge community asset when it is completed.
"This area has faced years of underfunding and government austerity, which makes projects like this one even more important. I would urge Belfast City Council to redouble its efforts to ensure the park is handed over in September. The people of the Colin area can’t put up with further delays."
The project is delivered by the council on behalf of the Urban Villages Initiative, a headline action within the NI Executive’s “Together Building a United Community” strategy.
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