A massive new screen, which will show live coverage of the Olympic Games next year, has been unveiled in Londonderry’s city centre.

The outdoor facility will see both the London games and the Paralympics beamed into Waterloo Place as well as a host of other special screenings for major events and festivals.

It has also been deemed an important piece of infrastructure for Derry ahead of 2013, when the city will celebrate becoming the first UK City of Culture.

Culture Minister Caral Ni Chuilin arrived in the city yesterday afternoon to unveil the new screen, which her department had allocated £500,000 towards.

The ‘live site’ was introduced to animate the recently revamped lower city centre and featured the work of local students as part of the NI Champions project.

Speaking as the site went live, the minister said yesterday: “This is the second live site in the north, which will allow us to come together in celebration to enjoy cultural and sporting events.

“When the Games begin next July, this site will provide the opportunity for all of us to watch and support our local sporting stars as they compete.”

The city’s Mayor, Alderman Maurice Devenney, said the live site was an excellent facility that would bring people from across the city together.

“Not only will this facility allow us to get into the spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and be part of the celebrations, but it will allow us to showcase local talent and events and become a focal point in the city centre,” he said.

“The live site will provide the city with a permanent resource to be used in the run up to and during the City of Culture 2013 to engage with communities and provide a lasting legacy for the city and region.”