£7.6m sports centre shelved?

The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) has now indicated that the project will not be funded.

A source told the Times: "The about-turn has dismayed staff and students who had their hopes raised unjustifiably only to have them dashed. Staff have also been warned of potential job losses as a result of further anticipated funding cuts."

Architects GM Design had been commissioned to begin design work on the project, which was planned to go on site in spring 2010 for completion in 2011 and constructed close to existing student residences.

The complex was earmarked to offer indoor training facilities for soccer, GAA and rugby, a fitness suite and a strength and conditioning suite.

It was also to boast a main hall with a 3G indoor hall plus an additional ancillary hall with facilities suitable for basketball, martial arts, dance, and more.

University of Ulster Vice Chancellor Professor Richard Barnett, told The Coleraine Times yesterday: "As a result of the Executive's proposals for public expenditure cuts for the financial year 2010/11 DEL proposes to cut the allocation to the two universities in Northern Ireland.

"This will of course have implications for the University of Ulster. In terms of the strategic capital investment fund, the University of Ulster's allocation will fall from 6.9million to a likely 2.5million.

"Ulster had earmarked this fund for the sports developments at the Coleraine campus and whilst we have yet to consider the implications of the cuts in terms of our overall capital spending it is, of course, possible this project will now have to be reviewed.

"I appreciate that many staff will be concerned about the implications of these cuts for their jobs. However, if we are able to achieve our current re-structuring plans on a timely basis and the pay claim for 2010/11 recognises these financial realities, I am confident we can meet this current challenge.

"My main concern, however, is that this may be the first in a series of cuts. The current cuts have nothing to do with the state of the UK's public finances.

"Instead they reflect decisions taken and cost pressures faced by the local Assembly. In particular, they reflect the decision of the Executive not to charge for domestic water. So, if we do have to shelve plans for the Coleraine sports facility it will be largely to pay for domestic water.

"After the General Election we may well face further cuts. And in this context it is important for us all to impress upon our local MLAs the importance of universities for the future of a competitive knowledge-based economy."