DARD Minister Michelle O'Neill opens SKYTrek, a new outdoor activity centre at Colin Glen Forest Park

Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Michelle O'Neill unveiled a fantastic new £250,000 outdoor activity centre, SKYTrek in the heart of the Belfast Hills yesterday. With over 100m aerial trekking overlooking Belfast in a beautiful woodland area at Colin Glen Forest Park, the new high ropes activity centre is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and is expected to attract thousands of visitors annually.

Funded by DARD via Lagan Rural Partnership, Biffa Award, ALPHA and Belfast City Council, SKYTrek will now be a major attraction that will not only enhance the local tourist economy, but also create much needed employment in the area. It is the first of many capital projects in the pipeline for this 200 acre Forest Park which will be completely redeveloped, creating one of the most accessible, inclusive and safe leisure and recreation facilities here.

At the official launch yesterday, Minister O'Neill said:  “This innovative project demonstrates how natural resources and rural tourism can be successfully merged for the benefit of the local community. In this area there are many other opportunities which could be developed to increase its attraction to visitors and improve the local economy. I am confident that we will shortly see more innovative projects coming through the pipeline bringing untold benefits to the area. I am delighted that through Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme my Department and our partner, Lagan Rural Partnership, have been able to contribute to such an innovative project in a rural setting. I would hope that others see this as a demonstration of what can be achieved through that rural development funding and consider how they may be able to best utilise their natural resources.”

Colin Glen Trust, the social economy responsible for SKYTrek have also recently announced a massive funding stream from Big Lottery with half a million pounds being provided for a new 'Youth Empowerment Project', which will be undertaken over a period of three years. Both projects will help to engage with local young people, encourage their involvement in various programs ranging from sports schemes to health and well-being programs and thus will help to reduce the level of anti social behaviour in the area. SKYTrek will also be offering a 'Youth Trainee Scheme' over the coming year which will allow young people to carry out training programs, giving them the opportunity to become qualified outdoor instructors. West Belfast MP Paul Maskey was delighted to attend the launch of the SkyTrek yesterday, stating “The staff have worked tirelessly over a long period of time to deliver SKYTrek and like the course itself, there were a few obstacles to overcome. I hope to see even more attractions in the Park that will further enhance it's capability in attracting thousands more people every year, creating more employment opportunities. I have no doubt that this will be a great success and will draw crowds not only from this part of the city but from all parts and further afield. People should visit and they won't be disappointed.”

Visitors to SKYTrek can expect to enjoy a thrilling, challenging experience navigating through a range of unique obstacles across a high 16m and low 5m ropes course, a 30ft rockface multi-challenge climbing wall and will experience Ireland's first ever Double 90M zip lines. SKYTrek will massively contribute to personal development by giving every visitor elated self-confidence and a positive outlook on their ability to conquer fears and overcome obstacles. Andrew Steenson from the Belfast Strategic Partnership, Active Belfast Team who attended yesterday said “The average person spends more than 90% of their time indoors so we do not get the great benefit to our health and wellbeing from being outdoors. Being physically active outdoors can improve your mood, energy level and alertness. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety and help reduce the risk of developing diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. So the recommendation to people is be active alfresco style.”

It is also designed to fulfil desired group objectives and is the perfect setting for team-building, with group facilitated programs which allow team members to work together in unison to complete difficult tasks such as the 'High All Aboard Peg Pole Climb' and the 'Double Leap of Faith'.  It can help to build better working relationships within a business, form lasting bonds amongst team mates in sports organisations and provide education in an engaging outdoor environment for school children. Most importantly, SKYTrek and its sister projects at Colin Glen Forest Park will continually promote physical and mental well-being for everyone. Heather Compston, a local PSNI officer from nearby Woodbourne Police Station attended the launch and said “I am delighted that the local Dunmurry Neighbourhood Policing Team were invited along to the launch of this facility. The new SKYTrek activity centre in the Colin Glen Forrest will be a great benefit to the local community and provide young people with a new safe and exciting opportunity for team building and recreational activities. The Colin area has one of the highest youth populations in Northern Ireland, and this new and exciting recreational facility will provide our young people with an alternative to becoming involved in anti-social behaviour and give them the opportunity to enhance their interpersonal skills.I wish the Colin Trust every success with this new project,and look forward to having the opportunity for local Neighbourhood officers to attend and participate in future youth team building events.”

SKYTrek is now open for individual and group bookings and you can book instantly online at www.skytrek.tv.  ‘Like’ SKYTrek on Facebook or Follow @Sky_Trek on Twitter for further information.

Editors Notes

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