Row over mural work

Craigavon Reimaging revealed an artist would be commissioned to create a mural depicting the park lake but Lexi Davidson, chairman of the Avenue Road Residents' Committee, said this was not what had been agreed.

He said the residents were told they would be consulted over any artwork to be used and feel Craigavon Reimaging has gone over their heads in making this final decision without them.

Mr Davidson said: "This picture of the lake is not what people want. The committee was planning something more relevant to the people, not political, but an historic scene."

He added: "We were willing to take on the responsibility ourselves by holding fundraisers to get the money together. We don't see the need to spend 30, 000 from the Arts Council on this just for it to be vandalised."

Mr Davidson said the residents' committee felt let down by Craigavon Reimaging as they have looked after the site for many years.

He said: "We were the ones who painted over the racist and insulting slurs and when we put up our own mural in 2006, it was never touched."

He continued: "They need to work with us on this. They can't just bypass residents."

A council spokesperson said: "The Reimaging project at Avenue Road in Lurgan is an exciting venture on a main thoroughfare into Lurgan Park involving the wider community per se and not just not the Avenue Road Residents Association.

"At the time of the initial consultation this was made very clear including the fact that ACNI would only fund the project up to 30,000 if it could clearly show that it was “art for all“ undertaken by a professional artist who would carry out an extensive design and consultation process.

"Council did say that they would work with the Avenue Road Residents Association on an alternative art project within Avenue Road itself if they so desired. This remains the case if the Residents Association so wish.

"There has been extensive consultation to date by both arts development and the artist Tony Stallard with all the relevant stakeholders including King’s Park Primary School, residents, members of the wider community and at least two meetings with the Residents Association and one with their Chairperson.

"The site has been prepared and when progressed will not only be a steel sculpture with LED lighting depicting Lurgan Park Lake etched from a 100 year old ordinance survey map, but a time capsule from King’s Park Primary School Pupils. The project is now on hold until mid-September."