Lower Ormeau Residents Action Group has prepared this proposal to progress capital development plans for a Watersports Facility at the River Lagan.

LORAG wish to build on the existing social economy model of Shaftesbury Recreation Centre to introduce a range of water based activities to increase provision for people from Lower Ormeau, but more importantly to provide a major tourist attraction for Belfast. The development plans will include the following:

•The development of water based marina at Shaftesbury Recreation Centre

•The development of a boat / canoe storage space at the centre

•The development of a range of water based activities at the centre

•The development of a new social economy based tourism business based at the site

The scheme will form part of the overall Waterways Ireland initiative. This project has evolved over a number of years and following ongoing extensive consultation with local community representatives. The project has been identified as a key priority in the Inner South Neighbourhood Partnership 2011-2015 under the Economy and Social Enterprise Theme.

The proposed Watersports facility will be located within the Shaftesbury Electoral Ward and will therefore help to regenerate an area of high deprivation and social need. LORAG, as the identified community lead on this project on behalf of the Inner South Neighbourhood Partnership, has extensive experience of managing capital developments having overseen the strategic development of Shaftesbury Community and Recreation Centre, a £2.5 million project that now provides community and leisure facilities for the Lower Ormeau area and beyond, ensuring an ideal strategic fit for the Watersports proposal