Sports hub with 3G pitch proposed for St Mark’s High School

Plans for a new multi-sports hub at St Mark’s High School in Warrenpoint have gone out to public consultation, with residents invited to view the proposals and comment before the end of next month.

The scheme is a partnership between Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and the school. It would see the existing pitch upgraded to a full 3G all-weather surface, alongside new external changing facilities, floodlighting and associated works.

The facility has been designed for both school and community use, giving year-round training and playing capacity. Growing demand from local Gaelic, soccer and rugby clubs across the district has been cited as the driver behind the project.

Drawings covering the site location, the proposed site plan, the sports pavilion layout and the 3G playing field are available to view online, where a consultation form is also open for comments.

A public consultation event was held in May, and this online stage runs until 21st September. Comments made now go to the prospective applicant rather than to the planning department. No planning application has been lodged yet; if one is submitted, the usual neighbour notification will follow and there will be a further opportunity to comment formally.

If it proceeds, the hub would give Warrenpoint a floodlit, all-weather facility available outside school hours, adding to the town’s sporting infrastructure at a time when demand for pitch space across the district is rising.