Popular MUGA pitch to reopen following remedial works

A POPULAR recreational facility which has been out of use for a lengthy period will reopen this month.

Derry City and Strabane District Council was forced to close the Multi-Games Use Area (MUGA) at Patrician Villas in the Head of the Town area in September 2023 due to the condition of the pitch.

Long-awaited work to replace the damaged surface began in July and that resurfacing is now complete, with overhead netting expetced to be installed in the coming weeks.

Strabane Sinn Féin councillor, Brian Harte, said the facility had been greatly missed during the extended closure and welcomed the update from council officers regarding its pending reopening.

"The MUGA pitch has been closed for almost two years on health and safety grounds," he explained.

"The facility has been badly missed by the local community and its many user groups.

“I have been keeping the pressure on council to get the MUGA Pitch completed ASAP."

Councillor Harte said council has confirmed the following: "Work to install a new ball catching net will start on September 15 with handover to council on September 25.

“So good news that the MUGA will be back in use at the end of September.

"I'm sure people will be delighted to be back playing here again."