Newry, Mourne and Down District Council: Sports Facility Capital Grant

Overview

The indicative budget for the theme is £225,000. Please note this is subject to change. 

The Sports Facility Capital Grant has two strands, Minor and Major. Applicants can only apply to one strand and should select this from the drop-down menu in the application form. 

• Strand 1 - Minor Threshold: £10,000 – £50,000; 75% match funded by Council (total project values between £13,334 - £66,667 or above). 
• Strand 2 - Major Threshold: £50,001 - £150,000; 50% match funded by Council (total project values between £100,000 - £300,000 or above).

Project end date: All project activity MUST be completed no later than 31 March 2026. 

Aim: 

Applicants must deliver projects which will support and maintain the capital infrastructure of a Sports and Recreation facility; see examples of eligible and ineligible items outlined below. Please note that these lists are not exhaustive. 

Objectives:

 To provide EITHER 75% match funding (Minor strand) OR 50% match funding (Major strand) to support Capital infrastructure of sports facilities in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, proposed by the sporting, community, and voluntary sectors. 

Projects must deliver Capital Infrastructure Projects that complement the Council Sports & Physical Activity Strategy which can be requested via email leisureandsport@nmandd.org.

Eligible Expenditure

• New builds
• Essential Professional and Technical Fees associated with capital building works.
• Other Professional fees
• Contingency costs (based on actual costs incurred).

Basic Eligibility

Applicants can fail to pass Stage 1 due to the following reasons:

• An incomplete application.
• Failure to provide the application form and all the details required by the closingdate/time (the EGMS will not allow this to be submitted).
• An application which has not been approved by two office bearers.
• An application which does not meet the Basic Eligibility criteria as outlined:
  • Group is a properly constituted, not-for-profit, Sports Club and can prove they are governed appropriately.
  • Project delivered within Council area
  • Project meets the criteria of the programme applied under (see Section 3 of Guidance).
  • Uploaded all relevant documents:
    • Proof of group legal status.
    • Copy of group constitution (if relevant).
    • Safeguarding policy.
    • Accounts / income and expenditure / independently examined accounts.
    • A copy of the most recent bank statement.
    • A copy of a health and safety policy relevant to the management of a sports facility.
    • A timeframe plan and cashflow.
    • Evidence to show that match funding is in place or is being processed e.g. confirmation of bank loan, bank statements or Letter of Offer or intent showing own/other funds available. If being processed full confirmation is required within 12 weeks of Letter of Offer being issued. Failure to have this in place may lead to the Letter of Offer being withdrawn.
    • Evidence that the project will have secure 100% of the funding required for the project to be completed inclusive of this application.
    • Evidence of land ownership and/or legal title and/or lease to property confirmed and in place and the relevant folio maps.
    • Evidence that the statutory approvals and permissions are in place, please ensure the applicant contacts relevant departments for same.
    • A copy of the completed Business Case / Economic Appraisal, this should be proportionate to the value of the project but is required for each applicant.
    • Evidence of completed site surveys and associated risk assessments are needed for all projects regardless of scope and scale.
    • Evidence of approved Design Brief(s) are required for all projects regardless of scope and scale.
    • Names / Details of appropriate authorisers and signees.