Carrick Rangers Football Club is set to benefit from a major funding boost after Mid and East Antrim Borough Council helped net £69,000 from SportNI.
The investment will pay for a raft of new safety features at Carrick's Taylor’s Avenue stadium.
The money was secured as the result of a partnership approach between Council, which leases the grounds to Carrick Rangers, and club officials, and complements a number of developments over the last 12 months.
As well as emergency repairs to the main stand during the summer of 2019, new dug outs and a new conference and safety control tower in recent months have all helped to ensure the club is fighting fit.
In addition to these significant projects, Council has also been successful in securing £13,000 in funding from the Department for Communities (DfC) to provide new toilet facilities which will be inclusive to all.
The money is part of a total funding package of £93,000 awarded under the DfC’s Access & Inclusion Programme, which has allowed Council to move ahead with a number of upgrade and redevelopment projects across the borough.
Councillor Marc Collins, who is a Volunteer Coach with Carrick Rangers FC, welcomed the news.
He said: “It is fantastic to see more investment in the facilities at Taylor’s Avenue and, while we still have quite a way to go to get where we want to be, this is another step in the right direction.
“I am delighted that the SportNI funding will allow for essential features including emergency lighting, crush barriers and safety gates, as well as for resurfacing work and repairs to the perimeter fence, and a brand new PA System.
“I would like to thank the Council officers and pay tribute to those involved with Carrick Rangers FC for their continued commitment to the future of the club as we fight to secure our Premiership status for years to come.”
