The school's new multi-use arena was funded with a grant of £325,877 from the Big Lottery Fund's PE and Sport programme.

The facility features the latest developments in sporting technology, designed to encourage all sections of the community to get together in a shared, friendly environment and improve their health and well-being.

Principal Cynthia Clinghan said the new facility will enable pupils to benefit from a wide range of sporting opportunities, which will help to raise their self esteem and motivation enabling them to lead healthier lifestyles not only today but in the future.

"When they leave us they will be better prepared for the challenges which lie ahead, more confident in the knowledge of their personal strengths and weaknesses and have developed more fully as young people," she continued.

"It is through this facility and the skills that they will have gained here which will enable them to be valuable contributors to society. This facility has opened up massive opportunities not only to the pupils of Fair Hill but to the wider community." The games area has the latest high-tech playing surface, a 60m x 30m polymeric synthetic pitch, which reduces the risk of injury and ensures sports can be played throughout the year and will not be limited by bad weather. It also comes complete with fencing and floodlights that will allow the local community to use the facility during the evenings

The facility will primarily be used by the 215 pupils from Fair Hill and a number of pupils from schools in the surrounding area, massively improving the range of sporting activities and lessons that these schools can offer their pupils both during and after school hours.

It will also be available to the entire community in the evenings and at weekends.

Rhiana Wilson, a P4 pupil at Fair Hill PS, said: " I think the pitch is a safer place to play, it is spectacular. I enjoy the pitch because there is more space and more room to run. We have super opportunities for after-school activities, and trained coaches, along with our teachers,to help us to develop our skills."

Breidge Gadd, Big Lottery Fund NI Chair, said: "I am delighted to be able to join staff and pupils from Fair Hill PS and the six partner primary schools at the launch of this superb facility.

"I am sure that the pupils and the local community will enjoy the benefits of it. The National Lottery grant shows how investing money in sports facilities available both to schools and local people can transform the quality of life in communities."