The sod has been turned on a major new community park for Lifford.
The Common will provide two sports pitches, floodlighting and car parking in an area on the N14 close to the town’s Applegreen service station.
The €2.5 million multi-use park project has secured a contractor and is set to begin an eight-month construction project.
Lifford Celtic FC is due to make the move to the new park space as it departs from its ground at Station Road to make way for the cross-border Riverine Project.
The overall Lifford Common plan also includes the construction of social housing and an enterprise park.
Councillors approved the development earlier this year, which will include 60 houses with a mix of one and two-bed apartments and houses ranging from two, three and four beds.
Fianna Fáil candidate Pat the Cope Gallagher greeted the turning of the sod this morning as great news for the Lifford area.
Gallagher was joined on site by Cllr Ciaran Brogan Chairperson of HSE Forum, Cllr Patrick Mc Gowan, former Cllr Gerry Crawford and Chairperson of Lifford Community Hospital Action Group John Quinn.
“Now that this work has started today, it will present other opportunities for future housing and employment development opportunities for the Lifford area,” said Gallagher.
“I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge Donegal County Council’s economic development team for their commitment to moving this project forward over the last number of years exploring every possible opportunity with their partnership approach in working closely with other agencies in bringing about the best outcome,” he said.
“I wish also to pay tribute to Gerry Crawford who I know had worked tirelessly with them and the HSE to ensure their commitment on the new proposed 25 bed community nursing unit and the new proposed primary care centre both now included in the HSE capital plan.”
