Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Mid-Ulster, Sandra Overend, has welcomed the announcement that the Desertcreat Training College project is to begin this summer, but shares the disappointment of the people of Mid-Ulster regarding the delays, and the increased cost to the taxpayer.
Mrs Overend said:
“It would not be surprising to hear if the people of Mid-Ulster had lost total confidence that the Community Safety College at Desertcreat will even go ahead, as we hear that the start date is being put back yet again.
“The Deputy First Minister said today during Question time this afternoon that the Community Safety College start date is to be June this year, so while he was confirming that the project is still in progress, I am disappointed its construction will not begin in March, as previously suggested, but in June, with the hope that it will be completed in 2016.
“Obviously I am disappointed that the cost to the taxpayer has increased to £157m.
“It is also important to alert local SMEs to a ‘Meet The Buyer’ event in March where small local businesses can find out how they can get involved in the project and bring economic benefits to the Mid-Ulster area.”