Lottery windfall for play facilities

The schools have received lottery money

Twenty primary schools in Northern Ireland have been given a lottery cash injection to upgrade sports and play facilities.

The schools have benefited from £556,329 allocated by the New Opportunities Fund for physical education.

An extra store for PE equipment will be constructed at Aughnacloy Primary School in County Tyrone, which has received £20,832.

St Joseph's Primary School in Dunloy received £43,435 to transform an unusable grass area into two tarmac play areas for tennis, basketball and football.

William Pinkerton Memorial Primary School in Dervock is to build an activity-based adventure play park after being awarded £45,072.

Glenveagh Special School in Belfast will use its £51,545 grant to transform a grass and paved area into a new state-of-the-art play facility.

Principal Gillian Boyd said it would make a big difference to her pupils whose ages range between eight and 19 and come from across Belfast.

The money will be used for sports and play facilities

"All these children have severe learning difficulties and this facility will be designed specifically to meet their needs.

"This facility is vital as it will allow pupils to improve their agility and extend the range of activities they take part in as some children can be very repetitive in what they do."

The Convent of Mercy Primary School in Downpatrick received £11,707 grant to refurbish the assembly hall.

That will enable it to create badminton courts, short court netball, short tennis courts, a running track, soccer pitch and a refurbished netball court.

Schools receiving grants

Clare Primary School in Armagh

Drumhillery Primary School in Keady

Sunnylands Primary School in Carrickfergus

Silverstream Primary School in Greenisland

Killowen Primary School in Coleraine

Dunclug Primary School in Ballymena

Olderfleet Primary School in Larne

St Caolan's Primary School in Ballynahinch

St Comgall's Primary School in Bangor

Ballyhome Primary School

St Mary's Primary School in Downpatrick

Nazareth House Primary School in Londonderry

St Brigid's Primary School in Crossmaglen

Mill Strand Integrated Primary School in Portrush

St Anne's Primary School in Strabane

New Opportunities Fund's Northern Ireland board member Briedge Gadd said the grants would mean new and improved facilities for many children.

"Every one of these grants has a part to play in widening access to quality sports facilities," she said.

She said the money would give children, young people and communities the chance to choose a healthier lifestyle, boost their self-esteem and confidence and build a "positive outlook and sense of achievement."

"National Lottery players can take pride in the fact that they are helping to bring about such a positive change, widening availability and access to high quality sporting facilities in schools and communities across Northern Ireland," she added.