Park costs threat to cricket club

The cricket club say the new costs could force them to close

Eglinton Cricket Club may be forced to close due to costs associated with a new children's play park next door.

The club said a new fence and greater insurance cover will be too expensive.

They believe the cost of erecting and maintaining a protective fence should fall to the council as it was not needed for the land adjacent until now.

Colin Kennedy, Derry City Council, said "We can't spend ratepayers money for the continual maintenance of a fence on private property."

"The responsibility of putting up a fence to protect balls from coming out of a cricket club is the responsibility of the cricket club," he added.

Eglinton Cricket Club secretary, John Pierce, said he fears for the club's future.

If an insurance company suddenly decided, 'we don't fancy that, it's an accident waiting to happen,' which I believe it is, they could hike our premiums to a level that we just can't afford John Pierce Club secretary

"The worst case scenario would be the end of cricket in the centre of Eglinton," he said.

Mr Kennedy said that if they all took a reasonable approach the situation would be dealt with.

"We are still committed to working with the cricket club"

The cricket club already have a fence around the majority of the perimeter and through meetings the idea of help for the remainder was discussed.

Councillor Mary Hamilton said she supports plans for the park.

"They could apply to the council for a support grant for some of the funding," she said.

Mr Hamilton said this option had been explored and initially was warmly welcomed.

"The cricket club then asked the council for a letter of indemnity so that if a ball comes out they would be indemnified."

"From our perspective in terms of a risk management insurance that's a thing we can't do."

Mr Pierce said this only brings the problem back to the cricket club.

"If an insurance company suddenly decided, 'we don't fancy that, it's an accident waiting to happen,' which I believe it is, they could hike our premiums to a level that we just can't afford."