Saturday 13th September was a day to remember in Saintfield as the community came together to celebrate the official opening of the new 5,500 square foot extension at the Saintfield Community Centre.
The new space was officially opened by none other than Lady Mary Peters, who cut a gold ribbon to mark the occasion — a gesture that Trustee Linda Beers described as “especially fitting, given Lady Mary’s Olympic Gold Medal win in 1972 and her unofficial title as Northern Ireland’s Golden Girl.”
Welcoming guests to the Centre, Linda said it was a privilege to host Lady Mary, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairman Councillor Philip Campbell, local councillors, council officials, and members of the professional team who brought the project to life.
Fellow Trustee David McMinn, who has led the development on behalf of the Saintfield Community Association (SCA), explained how much the project means to everyone involved.
“This is a very special moment for our community,” David said. “The additional space, which includes a brand-new Sports Hall, means we can now host more activities and welcome more people than ever before. The Community Centre has become the heart of Saintfield life, and this expansion ensures we can keep meeting local demand for high-quality recreational and social facilities.”
David also took the opportunity to thank all those who made the project possible.
“We are deeply grateful to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council for granting a 25-year lease on this building, to the Garfield Weston Trust for a £40,000 grant, to the Aughrim Landfill Programme for £10,000, and to Community Finance Ireland for providing a loan.
Our thanks also go to our professional team — Architect and Project Manager Gary Harpur and Alistair Scott of Glad Properties, our main contractor — for delivering such a high-quality facility. And finally, to the local residents and Centre users whose encouragement kept us focused on delivering this for Saintfield — thank you.”
The opening coincided with a lively Village Fun Day, organised by SCA alongside local retailers and businesses. The event had a wonderful Alice in Wonderland theme, featuring a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in Saintfield Market, a Wonderland Scavenger Hunt for children, and live music.
At the Community Centre itself, there was plenty for everyone to enjoy — bouncy castles, face painting, garden games, and even a display where residents could find out more about the exciting Windmill Park project, being developed by SCA with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Among the first users of the new facility is the Gymnastics and Trampolining Network, whose young gymnasts Jacob Dumigan and Oscar Hall were introduced to Lady Mary. Both boys were thrilled to tell her they had each received funding from the Mary Peters Trust to support their sporting development.
There was another touching moment when Lady Mary spotted eight-year-old Edie Brown, a pupil at Academy Primary School, in the crowd. To the delight of everyone present, Lady Mary invited Edie to help her cut the gold ribbon — a memory that will surely stay with Edie and her family for years to come.
Speaking after the ceremony, Lady Mary praised the project and the community spirit that made it possible:
“Community facilities like this are so important,” she said. “They give people of all ages the chance to get active, to learn, and to connect with others. I’m thrilled to see this wonderful new space open and already being put to such good use.”
The celebrations concluded with refreshments and guided tours of the new facilities, rounding off a fantastic day that perfectly captured Saintfield’s community spirit, teamwork, and ambition for the future.
