Councillors agree improvements need to be made to Castle site in Castlederg

by Gráinne Connolly

Local Derg Councillors have held a meeting with Council Officials and Dergfest organisers, regarding the current state of the Castle Park. 

They're considering improvements that could be undertaken on the site which was used at the end of last month for the successful music festival 'Dergfest'. 

Ulster Unionist Councillor, Alderman Derek Hussey spoke after the meeting: 

"Some time ago I had met with the organisers of Dergfest and it was agreed that improvements to some of the infrastructure at Castle Park would assist not only the annual music festival but other events taking place on what is a magnificent ampitheatre close to the centre of our town. 

"Arising from this initial meeting, a qualified architect agreed to voluntarily draft the proposals for any needed infrastructural improvement and, when I received these drawings, they were presented to the relevant Council Official whom I met with on site to contextualize the proposals. " 

However, since that meeting the latest Dergfest concert has taken place. 

Due to weather conditions and large crowds using the area, there was "excessive wear and tear" on areas of grass within the Castle Park site. 

Mr Hussey credited the organisers of the festival for bringing a local landscapre gardender on site within days to repair any damages at their own expense. 

Last week another meeting took place between Councillor Hussey, other local Derry City and Strabane District Councillors, Council Officers and Dergfest organisers. 

Derek Hussey stated:

"The unavoidable damage from the music festival was clear to be seen and we considered several measures that could be enacted to reduce the impact to the grass areas on site or indeed prevent such damage occurring at future events to be held at Castle Park together with other suggestions to further enhance the Park facilities for all users.

"It's fair to say that we were agreed that improvements were possible with Officials agreeing to consider and prepare costed plans for such. 

"All further agreed that, if possible and agreed by full council, works to enhance the site should be targeted for completion in the Spring of next year and well before next year's Dergfest music festival."