Council Decision To Purchase Camlough Lake Land ‘A Significant Development’ – Murphy

Slieve Gullion area Sinn Féin Councillor Declan  Murphy has said the decision taken by Council at tonight’s (Thursdays) Strategy Policy & Resources Committee meeting to approve the purchase of Lands necessary to ensure the delivery of the new multi use recreational hub at Camlough lake was a significant development.

The Councillor also said that the exciting vision shared by many  would now soon become a reality.

The local Councillor explained,

“Council had secured £2.8 million funding via the levelling up funding for Camlough lake for a water sports project.

Recently our Council officers have been engaging with the Electricity Service and a private landowner to acquire additional lands deemed necessary to progress this project.

Council has  now agreed to purchase these sites from the landowners. This is very welcome news and a significant development ”.

The Councillor continued,

“Camlough Lake is a key recreational resource within Newry, Mourne and Down, providing access to a range of water-based activities.  This exciting project seeks to offer a range of facilities including a single story, multiuse building; outdoor space with external showers; changing facilities; slipway and jetty; kayak storage; picnic areas and enhanced parking provision. There are also plans for pedestrian access linked to the existing lake footway.

Investment in 2017 by the Council and NI Water to enhance safety features has provided an improved amenity.  

Since then, the Council has been working in close partnership with facility users and the local community to create a resource that will provide important services and cater to a wide range of visitors including general lake users, event participants and organisers. The vision we have all shared is now close to becoming a reality”.

Concluding the Sinn Féin elected representative said,

“Delivering this project has been a priority for Sinn Féin and we will continue to work with all other groups to deliver this for the community.

Sinn Fein is committed to developing the tourism potential of South Armagh, to boost our economy and help create jobs, and the Camlough Lake Water Hub is  be a key part in this goal.

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