Responding to Ulster University's announcement that it has binned plans to build a state-of-the-art Air Dome sports facility in Derry, People Before Profit Cllr Shaun Harkin said,
"The scrapping of plans for a state-of-the-art Air Dome sports facility in Derry is a serious blow.The construction of the arena has been presented as a fact by Ulster University and the political establishment for two years.
"Students, residents and community organisations were encouraged to participate in consultations of what they were told was a guaranteed project. UU was expected to contribute only half of the £18m cost to build the dome. This is a drop in the ocean when compared to the £350m spent on the new Belfast campus.
"This decision is utterly premature and reckless. In our opinion, it's not good enough for the Sinn Féin Economy Minister to say the decision is simply 'disappointing'. The Economy Minister and the Stormont Executive have committed expanding Magee and to addressing regional disparity.
"There should be aggressive intervention by the Economy Minister with the support of the Executive to ensure the projects that enhance University expansion are delivered on. And this includes the sports air dome.
"Combined with the redundancies announcement and concerns about funding for other agreed projects, this raises concerns about Ulster University's committment to Derry expansion and Stormont's ability to see it delivered on. The work done on this air dome shouldn't be allowed to be binned.
"There needs to be accountability. This starts with looking at Ulster University's ability to deliver the vision of Magee expansion that's demanded and ability of the Stormont Executive to ensure it happens."