SDLP Cusher Councillor Sharon Haughey has welcomed community engagement in Clady over proposals to develop a play and recreation facility in the area.
On Wednesday night last, Sharon attended a meeting organised by the Clady Community Association in Clady Hall with her party colleagues Assembly Member Dominic Bradley and Assembly Candidate for the area Cllr Thomas O’Hanlon.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Haughey who has been elected by the people of Clady for six years spoke passionately about her campaigns to help improve the lives of all of the people of the area.
Sharon said, “It is very welcome to see so many young people at a community meeting like this and this just goes to show the desire of Clady youths to help develop play and recreational facilities in the area which they will ultimately end up using and enjoying.
“Community consultation and engagement is very important when developing a plan for the area. I have certainly taken a number calls from people on this issue, who are very positive towards the proposal for a play and recreational facility. There are some who have reservations or concerns also and it’s important that their concerns are addressed so that this facility can be the pride and joy of the whole the community.
“Since I was first elected as councillor for the area six years ago, I immediately raised the lack of provision of young people and for services in the Clady area. I know what people there are facing because I grew up in Mourneview Park myself. As children we were always creative in our play because we have absolutely no provisions. We use to look at the likes of Keady and Armagh and see shiny playgrounds there and looking at those we always felt like second class citizens. That is not good enough and that is why this has been a priority for me.
“At long last we are now in an excellent situation in Clady whereby I have gained the commitment of the Housing Executive to provide land for the play and recreational facility. I have also ensured that Clady is included in Armagh City and District Council’s Plan Strategy and that council will give support to the project when external funding is obtained. And finally, there are a number of financial pots available for this type of project which the Community Group can now access. I therefore hope that we will be able to deliver this facility soon.
“I commend Clady Community Association for their work on this project and I hope our work together will make this proposal a reality for the people of Clady.”