Alliance Alderman Richard Brown Stewart has welcomed Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s announcement that work will begin on a masterplan for the Metropole Project in partnership with the Causeway Association of Urban Sports (CAUS), describing it as a significant milestone after years of campaigning.
Alderman Stewart said:
“This is a hugely welcome announcement and one that so many people have worked tirelessly towards for many years. Alliance has consistently supported the vision of creating a dedicated urban sports facility at the Metropole site, recognising the enormous benefits it will bring to young people, families and the wider community.
“I’ve been privileged to work behind the scenes with both the local skating community and Council officers to help build relationships and ensure this project became a genuine collaboration. Like any long-term project, there have been challenges along the way and relationships have, at times, become strained. However, everyone involved has remained committed to the same goal of delivering something really special for the North Coast.
“What is particularly encouraging is that today’s announcement confirms that skaters and urban sports users will be involved at every stage of the masterplanning process. That collaborative approach is exactly what many of us have been advocating for. The people who will use these facilities should help shape them.
“This has been years in the making, with campaigners pushing for over three decades, and it’s fantastic to see real momentum now building. By working together, Council, CAUS, local users and the wider community will have the opportunity to create a flagship urban sports destination that Portrush can be proud of.
“I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has kept the momentum going over the years, particularly the volunteers within CAUS and the local skating community who never gave up on their vision.
“I would encourage everyone to take part in the public consultation over the coming months. This is our chance to help shape a facility that meets the needs of current and future generations and cements Portrush’s reputation as a leading destination for sport, recreation and community wellbeing.”
The Metropole Project seeks to create a high-quality, inclusive and free to use outdoor urban
sports and community facility that supports active lifestyle, enhances the public realm,
strengthens community cohesion, improves youth recreation provision and reinforces Portrush’s
role as a key tourism and recreation destination on the North Coast.
The North Coast community has campaigned for the provision of a dedicated skatepark and
urban sports facility for more than 30 years. Previous proposals have progressed to advanced
stages but have not been delivered. This commission represents a renewed and deliverable
approach by the Council and CAUS to establish an inclusive, sustainable and high-quality facility.
The proposed development will be delivered through an integrated masterplan approach
combining urban sports, landscape, play, recreation and community infrastructure into a
cohesive public space.
The outcome of the masterplan process should deliver concept proposals which include the
following principal elements;
• A purpose-designed plaza accommodating a range of wheeled urban sport and user
abilities.
• A multi-sport pump track and off-road BMX facility
• A flexible civic/community space
• Play provision
Council and CAUS will be working with Betongpark over the coming months to consult with the
public, stakeholders, local schools, community groups and local businesses to best understand user needs and preferences which will aid in the development of concept designs to maximise the potential of the Metropole site.
Betongpark are recognised as one of Europe’s industry leaders in skatepark design and have
engaged extensively with local communities on a range of projects to develop and construct
urban sports facilities that integrate with wider social and recreational spaces and public realm.A range of consultation exercises are planned over August and September, more information on
this will be announced in the coming weeks. At the end of this work proposals will be presentedto Council and CAUS for further decision-making on how best to progress.
