A free community event will mark the opening of the new road that will open up the St Patrick’s regeneration site and link the north of Ballymena with the Larne Link Road on Friday 16th June.
This is a unique opportunity to walk, jog or run along the new road before it opens to traffic. It will include a fun community event with bouncy castles and music at the Showgrounds.
The completion of the road is one element of a wider regeneration of the St Patrick’s site, led by the Department for Communities, which includes residential homes, a new civic space, a leisure and wellbeing centre, an Integrated Industrial Inspiration and Innovation Campus, and a new PSNI building.
The fun walk and run and the Golden Mile arebeing organised by Ballymena Runners and the community event by Dunclug Youth Forum, Ballykeel 2 & District Community Association and the D3MAC groups with the support of Radius Housing, as part of the Department for Communities ‘Housing For All’ programme, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and the NI Housing Executive.
A spokesperson for Ballymena Runners commented:
"Ballymena Runners are delighted to take part in this historic event and thank the Department For Communities for giving us the opportunity to put trainers on the new road before tyres.
"We would like to thank sponsors of the event Radius Housing, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Mid and East Antrim. We would also like to thank Dunclug Youth Forum, Ballykeel 2 & District Community Association and D3MAC community groups who are organising fun family activities and McKillop's who are providing post race water bottles."
A spokesperson for Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, said:
“Council is delighted to see the completion of this much-anticipated new road, which is a key milestone in the ongoing regeneration of the former St Patrick’s site.
“Trainers Before Tyres is a brilliant opportunity for our community to experience the new layout of the area and see first-hand the excellent work being carried out, while joining together to take part in a family friendly evening of entertainment.
“The hugely ambitious St Patrick’s regeneration project, led by our partners in the Department for Communities, is transforming the area, helping to create wider economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits across the Borough."
Speaking ahead of the race, Grainne Mullin, Community Investment Manager, from Radius Housing, who are sponsoring the event, said:
"We are delighted to support such a positive and exciting community event. Whether you are a competitive runner, and occasional jogger, or if you'd just like a nice summer evening walk, this event has it all. As we develop the new homes at the St Patrick's Barracks site, Radius wants to ensure that we support strong community relations, and we look forward to racing ahead with more wonderful events like this."
Everyone is welcome to this free evening to celebrate the road opening, which will include an adult and children’s 2.5 km walk and run and a timed Golden Mile for 14 years and above.
Parking via Roundabout at ECOS entrance and Warden Street entrance.
EVENT SCHEDULE
6.00 - Gates Open
6.30 - Event Starts
6.45 - Warm up to music
7.00 - Official Road Opening & start of fun walk and run
7.10 - Registration for Golden Mile closes
7.40 - Ballymena Runners Golden Mile
REGISTRATION is required for the golden mile at:
For further information please contact ballymenarunners@hotmail.com,