Derry sports dome 'first of its kind' for Northern Ireland

The university says the dome will be a first for Northern Ireland

A 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 funding through the international PeacePlus programme.

The dome 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 it 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.

Prof 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,” she said.

Funding from the PeacePlus programme was announced earlier this week, it stands at €10.86m (£9.05m).

PeacePlus is jointly supported by the European Union, the UK government, the Irish government and Stormont.

UU said it would match the funding.

Kieran Kennedy says the funding is the 'last piece of jigsaw' for a project in Strabane

PeacePlus 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 programme 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 funding 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.