It has become clear over the last two weeks that the Recreation Grounds at Portrush would not be available for the Contest in August 2018. This was despite very firm written assurances received by RSPBANI in March 2018 from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council that they would be available and further assurances more recently. The Recreation Grounds presently contains a very large compound for the Contractors carrying out environmental improvements for Portrush to prepare for the British Open, there has been hundreds of tonnes of rubble deposited on the access path to the tennis courts. The cost of moving the rubble and the compound has been estimated at over 100K.
The Council and RSPBANI have surveyed the Portrush area at considerable length and the only suitable space to use as an alternative is within the adjacent Landsdowne Car Park. Given the very late notice that RSPBANI were given, the knowledge that many of our bands, visiting bands and supporters have made arrangements to be in Portrush and that the Contest this year is one week before the World Championships the RSPBANI Executive Committee decided that accepting the move reluctantly was the only viable option rather than cancellation.
The Council have committed to putting every effort possible into making the change of venue work, Displaced Car parking for two hundred plus cars will be facilitated within the Recreation Grounds tennis courts, the venue will be free of charge to all those attending and our Project Officer and a Council Event Officer will be liaising daily to ensure that as many arrangements as possible are planned and put into effect to make the change work well as an alternative venue.
RSPBANI Executive
