THERE are hopes Armoy can be transformed into a mecca for motorbike-loving tourists as a spin-off to the 'Armoy Armada' Road Race planned for next year.
Officials from Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club have met with Ballymoney Council to make an appeal for funding and details were given of plans to boost tourism and visits to the village as a result.
Independent councillor Bill Kennedy - brother o
f one of the 'Armoy Armada' members the late Frank Kennedy - is a member of the Armoy Club and he was joined by club colleague John Bustard to make the presentation to the Council.
Appropriately the meeting was held in the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre - named after the most famous member of the 'Armada'.
A Council report on the meeting said: "After the presentation the Chair invited questions from members which raised a number of issues which were addressed including viability and sustainability of the event; costs involved; other possible funders including Moyle District Council; sponsorship; identification of the racetrack; proposed date of the event; safety issues and noise pollution."
The Armoy Club said its aim is to build tourism and to "bring the local community together through the mutual interest of motorcycle road racing".
The Club presentation said: "The 'Armoy Armada Project' aimed to engage the local community in the development and subsequent deployment of a multimedia GPS Trail providing information on the area as well as an interactive multi-media trail enhancing our visitor experiences.
"The trail relates to the following key themes inherent in their story: camaraderie, achievements, renown, ingenuity and focus."
The Club added that they hope to improve community relations and develop and promote tourist potential by "capitalising on the motorcycling road racing history".
The Club also talked about future opportunities including:
* Training events with the focus on road safety, marshall training, etc.
* Increasing visitor spend and overnight stays through value added activities.
* Develop momentum of Road Racing Club activities.
* Increase wider biking community's visits and spend.
* Promote museum, Memorial Garden and other areas.
The Council Committee Chairman, Alderman Frank Campbell (DUP), thanked the Armoy Club for their presentation and advised them the Committee would consider their request for funding.
It was then proposed by Councillor Ian Stevenson (DUP), seconded by Deputy Mayor, Alderman Harry Connolly (SDLP), and agreed to defer consideration of the matter until May and that contact is made with Moyle District Council to find out their position regarding funding for the Armoy Club.
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