Ballysillan Swifts are upset after City Hall changed plans for their pitch upgrade, leaving them feeling sidelined and betrayed by the decision.
They were all set for a big upgrade at Ballysillan Park, thanks to some funding from Stormont. But now, it seems they won’t be the main users of the new pitch. Instead, another team is getting priority, and the Swifts are only offered a couple of training slots each week.
Club Chairman William Massey is really frustrated. He said they’ve been assured for years that the pitch would be theirs. They’ve been using the facilities for over a decade, and now it feels like a slap in the face.
The Swifts have been involved in meetings and planning since 2017, so this sudden change is shocking. They thought they were finally getting the upgrade they deserved.
Local councilors and an MLA have stepped in to help. They’re meeting with City Council officials to sort this out. Everyone agrees that the Swifts should have priority access to the new pitch.
It’s a big deal for the community. The Swifts have hundreds of active members who rely on that facility. They were excited about the new plans, especially with hopes of launching a ladies team.
The whole situation has sparked a lot of anger online, and some graffiti targeting the other team has popped up. The Swifts condemned it and asked for it to be removed.
This funding was meant to improve the area and bring the community together. It’s frustrating to see those plans change after so much hard work and input from local residents. Everyone just wants to see Ballysillan Park thrive.
