UUP proposes '˜people park' to mark NI centenary

Leader Mike Nesbitt suggested leveraging of private sponsorship could see the venue built to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland’s creation in 2021 at no cost to the public purse.

“Our idea for Northern Ireland is the people park, a celebration of our people – the great sportsmen and women, the inventors, the engineers, the artists and musicians, the thinkers, the do-ers, the generals and the presidents,” he said.

The party is also proposing a new eco-friendly facility in each of Northern Ireland’s six counties to commemorate the centenary.

He said the projects would be based on what people wanted for their communities, suggesting forest parks or community centres as possible examples.

“Whatever people want locally and we think our young people should have the loudest voice in that choice,” said the UUP leader.

The manifesto published yesterday is the ninth piece of pre-election literature produced by the UUP.

As well as a document entitled Our Vision For You The Voter, it has already launched policy papers on mental health and well being; cancer care; the knowledge economy; a book buddies scheme to tackle childhood literacy issues; the arts; the Armed Forces; and animal welfare.

Mr Nesbitt told supporters at the manifesto launch: “We have the vision, we have the policies and we have the people with the energy and commitment to deliver.”