East Strand Portrush Environmental Improvements

The East Strand newly redeveloped Promenade was officially opened on Tuesday 5th July 2011.  The project undertaken by FP McCann involved the regeneration and physical improvement of the public realm from the Arcadia past the Watersports Centre along the front of the East Strand Promenade car park towards the White Rocks.

The works involved repairing the crumbling promenade, re-alignment and creation of high quality promenade and associated infrastructure, including street furniture, surfacing, new steps, railings, landscaping, and infrastructure for a new lighting scheme.

Launching the scheme was the Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Arlene Foster, Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland, and Mayor of Coleraine, Alderman Maurice Bradley.  "The regeneration of the East Strand will help to attract more visitors to Portrush and the north coast, which is famous the world over for its breathtaking scenery," Ms Foster said.  Nelson McCausland added: "This public realm scheme has transformed the area around the East Strand promenade.  It provides a very attractive setting for visitors from across the world to enjoy, and provides a welcome boost to the town and creates opportunities for further private investment."  Mayor of Coleraine, Alderman Maurice Bradley said: “The first promenade was built in Portrush in the 1870s and the town has since developed into a major holiday destination and seaside resort… The East Strand Refurbishment Works and Public Art project will help to provide Portrush with a competitive edge, allowing the resort to meet the high expectations of today’s visitors whilst also making it a better place to live and work for its residents.”

Both Ministers along with the Mayor of Coleraine congratulated FP McCann for all the work and effort put into providing what can now be described as an outstanding piece of Public Realm.  FP McCann continue to pride themselves in the provision of quality public realm spaces, with an ever expanding portfolio of high profile schemes such as; Custom House Square Belfast, Lower Chichester St Belfast, Derry City Centre Public Realm, Newcastle Promenade and now Portrush East Strand Promenade.  FP McCann believe that quality public realm spaces within our towns and cities are vital if we are to be successful in creating environments that people both want to live and work.  To this end successfully completed schemes such as Portrush East Strand Promenade can aid in gaining further investment for the local area creating economic benefit and restoring much needed civic pride in order to raise standards.

The completion of East Strand Environmental Improvement Scheme by FP McCann at a cost of £1.5m has been described as one of the larger capital projects on the Causeway Coastal Route (CCR) which complements the implementation of the wider CCR interpretation and infrastructure programme of which FP McCann are also involved.

'To the People of the Sea', a new piece of public art for the East Strand site, was also unveiled.The artwork was designed by Cork artist Holger Lonze to represent Portrush’s rich maritime culture and the boat building history of the East Strand site.

Pictured at the cutting of the ribbon to officially open the East Strand Public Realm Improvement Works are Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Investment Arlene Foster, Minister of Social Development Nelson McCausland and Mayor of Coleraine, Alderman Maurice Bradley