By Alan Healy
A proposed new surface at the Ebrington parade ground will prevent the site hosting major events such as the Easter and Halloween funfairs.
The Derry News revealed in September that an overhaul of the site was being considered due to the ‘ongoing problems’ being encountered due to the current surface of the area.
The site is currently owned by the Northern Ireland Executive Office, which was formerly the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM), who took over responsibility of Ebrington after the urban regeneration company Ilex was wound up in March 2016.
The site is due to come under the ownership of Derry City and Strabane District Council in April 2018, after the original scheduled takeover date of April this year was delayed for a period of 12 months.
However, problems have plagued the new-look parade ground at Ebrington Square snice it was first opened in 2012, both during and after such large-scale events, particularly the effect of rain on the sand-like gravel surface.
Earlier this month, a planning application was lodged by the Northern Ireland Executive Office with the local planning authority, which is Derry City and Strabane District Council, seeking to remove existing gravel surface and replace it with exposed concrete and grass.
The bulk of the area, around 4,500 square metres will be covered in the concrete, with grass planned to cover an area measuring around 1,000 square metres.
Earlier this week, the Derry News was contacted by a local events organiser, who warned that if plans for the new surface are approved, it could prevent the site hosting major events in the future, such as the return of the annual fun fairs next year.
'Not fit for purpose'
The event organiser, who did not wish to be named, said that the proposed new surface is ‘not fit for purpose’, given that it will be unable to hold the heavy vehicles needed to transfer event equipment onto the Parade Ground.
“The problem is that the proposed new concrete surface will be coated with a type of resin, which will be sprayed on,” they said.
“And that will render the new surface not fit for purpose, because any type of heavy vehicle being brought on site will tear this surface up due to the type of resin being used.
“That means no heavy vehicles will be permitted to come onto the Parade Ground due to the potential damage to the new surface.”
The events organiser added that they had met with local politicians in recent days to discuss their concerns.
“This new surface effectively means an end to large scale outdoor events at Ebrington such as the Halloween and Easter funfairs, as the site will no longer be suitable to host them,” they added.
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