Join us at an exciting celebration to mark the momentous return of the #TheOpen to our shores. On Thursday 9th May from 11am – 1pm, we will be teeing off at the Shambles Yard, Armagh to proudly show how Northern Ireland is truly Made for Golf and ready to warmly welcome the hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world to Northern Ireland for The 148th Open.
Local schools, golf clubs, sports stars and stakeholders from the local community, will join together at the Shambles Yard to celebrate all that Northern Ireland has to offer and show their support for the return of the historic Championship to Royal Portrush this July.
We would be delighted if you could support “The Epic Journey to The 148th Open” and join us for this special celebration from 11am -1pm.
Rory McIlroy’s replica Claret Jug from his Open win in 2014 at Royal Liverpool will be on show and there will be opportunities to be pictured with it and our huge #TheOpen letter sculpture. You can also learn about the Championship and stand-out Stay and Play breaks in the local area, meet our local sports personalities and enter our “pitch and putt” competition to win a Tourism NI Made for Golf goody bag.
By sharing your picture with #TheOpen letters on the day and sharing on social media, you will be in with a chance to win two complimentary tickets to the sold-out Championship!
For any queries please visit www.TheOpen.com
Keady Recreation Centre revealed the winners of their 4 week Spring into Fitness Challenge at a presentation night on Monday 8 April. Emma Mone was crowned the overall female winner with 106 points and Matthew McQuillan, the overall male winner with 113 points.
The challenge commenced on the 1 March, it was based on a points system, points were awarded for weekly challenges, class attendance, gym session attendance, weekly challenge winners and weight loss. Over the 4 weeks, an impressive 45 people actively participated in the challenge.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Julie Flaherty was delighted with the uptake in the challenge, “Congratulations to everyone who completed the challenge and well done to the overall winners. It’s so important the Council runs initiatives such as this to give people the opportunity and encouragement to lead a more active lifestyle in a fun and competitive way”.
The weekly male and female challenge winners were provided with a protein recovery pack sponsored by Centra in Keady. All participants of the challenge were presented with a Certificate of Completion, a Matrix towel and Water bottle.
The overall male and female winners were presented with the Sara-Jayne Memorial Cup, a 1 month getactiveabc All Inclusive membership and a hamper sponsored by Rice Supermarket in Keady. Kate Berry, won the raffled for a 1 month getactiveabc Gym membership.
Keady Recreation Centre received a £55,000 investment in new gym equipment last May, the equipment includes treadmills, cross trainers, ski-ergs, rowers, elliptical trainers, climbers and bikes. Some of the equipment is Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) accredited, meaning disabled as well as non-disabled people can benefit from a full body, cardiovascular and resistance-based workout.
For more details on Keady Recreation Centre, please visit here
Residents are invited to come along and have their say on a proposed new play park at Rectory Park Play Area.
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council is hosting a public meeting at Regenerate, 1B Ardress Park on Tuesday 16th April 2019 to discuss the equipment, layout and design.
At the meeting residents will be given the chance to have their questions answered about the proposed play area and learn how council aims to implement the good practice design principles outlined within its play strategy, enhancing play value at existing sites and ensuring the future new development delivers a quality play experience for everyone.
For more information, contact the play development officer on 0300 0300 900.
EASTER 2019 ARRANGEMENTS
Changes to the facilities and services provided by Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council across the wider Craigavon area during the Easter holiday period are:
Cascades Leisure Complex
Open: 19th April (9.00am-5.00pm)
Open: 20th April (10.00am-4.00pm)
Closed: 21st – 23rd April
Craigavon Leisure Centre
Closed: 19 April
Open: 20 April (9.00am-4.00pm)
Closed: 21-23 April
Waves Leisure Complex
Closed: 19th April
Open: 20th April (8.30am-4.00pm)
Closed: 21st – 22nd April
Open: 23rd April (9.00am-5.00pm)
Craigavon Golf Ski Centre
Open:19th – 21st April (9:00am-5:00pm)
Open: 22nd – 23rd April (9:00am-9:00pm)
Banbridge Leisure Centre
Open: 19th April (9:00am-5:00pm)
Open: 20th April
Closed: 21st – 22nd April
Open: 23rd April (9:00am-5:00pm)
Dromore Community Centre
Closed: 19th April
Open: 20th April
Closed: 21st – 23rd April
Orchard Leisure Centre
Open: 19th – 20th April
Closed: 21st – 22nd April
Open: 23rd April (9:15am-5:00pm)
Recreation Centres (Ardmore, Cathedral Road, Keady, Richhill and Tandragee)
Open: 19th – 20th April
Closed: 21st – 23rd April
Loughgall Country Park
Open: 19th – 23rd April
Rathfriland Community Centre
Closed: 19th April
Open: 20th April
Closed: 22nd – 23rd April
Gilford Community Centre
Closed: 19th April
Open: 20th April
Closed: 22nd – 23rd April
Kinnego Marina Office
Open: 30th March – 4th April (9.00am-6.00pm)
Oxford Island Site
Open: 30th March – 4th April (8.00am-7.00pm)
Lough Neagh Discovery Centre
Open: 30th – 31st March (10.00am-5.00pm)
Open: 1st April (10.00am-6.00pm)
Open: 2nd – 4th April (10.00am-5.00pm)
Tannaghmore Animal Farm
Open: 30th March – 4th April (10.00am-7.00pm)
Public Parks
Open: 30th March – 4th April (7.00am-8.00pm)
The Mae Murray Foundation and PlayBoard NI are surveying parents and carers on play opportunities for children with disabilities. We are particularly interested in hearing views on fixed play areas i.e. play areas which have play equipment installed. The information gathered through the survey will be used as the basis for a new guidance document which will aim to influence the design and development of more inclusive play areas that meet the needs of all children.
We encourage parents and carers to complete the survey as we are keen to hear about the experiences of as many children as possible. The more people that take part, the bigger the impact we can make.
To complete the survey go to www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/MMFPBParentsCarers before 30 April.
Easter Clubs will be taking place at:
Tandragee Recreation Centre – Tuesday 16th April – Friday 19th April & Wednesday 24th April to Friday 26th April.
Richhill Recreation Centre – Monday 15th – Friday 19th April & Wednesday 24th April – Friday 26th April.
Keady Recreation Centre – Friday 19th & Wednesday 24th – Friday 26th April.
The clubs are suitable for children and young people aged between 4 to 14 years old, they are supervised by qualified staff and will be packed full of fun with a programme of sports, games, arts and crafts and much more.
Early bird, half day and full day sessions are available at affordable prices. Parents interested in their child attending are advised to contact their nearest Centre as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
For more information on how to book visit https://bit.ly/2FHN9xo
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council today have unveiled designs following the recent announcement that Gosford Forest Park is to benefit from an £850,000 investment to create a unique outdoor play adventure experience.
Gosford Forest Park is located outside Markethill in County Armagh. The 240-hectare estate features miles of paths and trails around the beautiful woodland and open park spaces.
Local people and families are encouraged to engage in a public consultation specially arranged to gain your views on the initial designs and will take place on Sunday 31st March at Gosford Forest Park, from 12noon to 5pm. Come along, meet the design team and have your say on their proposals – the design team will present detailed plans at 12noon and 3pm.
The Adventure Play Trail is being designed by award-winning landscape architects Davies White who have expertise in playful landscapes and innovative design. Since winning their first RHS Gold Medal and BBC People’s Choice Award the company have gone on to win over 15 national awards for innovative play space projects, including Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Play Park.
The designs for Gosford Forest Park will showcase 5 iconic play structures linked by a 2km woodland play trail. The new outdoor adventure play experience will not only satisfy the growing demand for more child-orientated experiences in the Northern Ireland tourism market, it will establish Gosford Forest Park on a scale that is unprecedented amongst all other forest parks across the UK and Ireland, offering maximum play value, inclusivity and challenge for children of multiple age ranges.
If you are unable to make the public consultation session you can still provide us with your thoughts and views on the designs through our online consultation hub from Monday 1st April at www.getactiveabc.com/adventureplaytrail
Designs plans will remain online and display in the Function Hall at Gosford Forest Park for visitors to view and provide feedback until 28 April 2019.
As part of the council’s Capital Play Development Programme, the play park in Lurgan Park has been designated for refurbishment, with an investment of £250,000.
Before this refurbishment takes place, Council would like to hear resident’s views on where the new play park should be located. There are two options available, the existing site or a new site located close to the entrance of Waves Leisure Complex, Robert Street.
Please give us your views by completing our survey; this one will be online from 25/3/19 to 8/4/19:
https://armaghbanbridgecraigavon.citizenspace.com/health-and-recreation/lurgan-park-play-park
Sunday 17th March 2019
Banbridge Leisure Centre: 12.00pm – 5.00pm
Cascades Leisure Complex: Closed
Craigavon Leisure Centre: 2.00pm – 5.00pm
Orchard Leisure Centre: Closed (St.Patricks Parade)
Waves Leisure Complex: Closed
Monday 18th March 2019
Banbridge Leisure Centre: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Cascades Leisure Complex: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Craigavon Leisure Centre: Closed
Orchard Leisure Centre: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Waves Leisure Complex: Closed
Gosford Forest Mountain Bike Trail Public Meeting
An opportunity to ride the trails, discuss issues and give constructive feedback on the trails at Gosford.
Date – Saturday 9th & 23rd March
Time – 10am – 12pm or 1.30pm – 3.30pm
10 spaces available per session.
Staff Member – Peter McAtasney
Required – Mountain Bike, helmet and outdoor clothing.
We look forward to hearing your views and comments on the day. For more information on the trails at Gosford visit www.getactiveabc.com/gosford or contact Gosford via Gosfordforest@armaghbanbridgecraigavon.gov.uk