AROUND 16 MONTHS after playing their first game in the newly renovated Kingspan Stadium (then Ravenhill), Ulster Rugby have today cut the ribbon on the final and perhaps most important part of their home.

The Nevin Spence Centre was formally opened today as an education and heritage showcase housed within the ground’s Memorial End stand on the north east side of the field.

Spence was 22 when he tragically lost his life in a farming accident along with his brother Graham and Father Noel on 15 September 2012.

Here’s a taster of what the centre will look like

Nevin Spence's sister, Emma Rice, taking pride in the exhibit. Source: Presseye/Matt Mackey/INPHO

“The Nevin Spence Centre will bring children from all over the North and from all backgrounds to Kingspan Stadium and will allow them to learn new skills in a very fun environment,” said sports minister Carál Ní Chuilín.

I am very privileged to have painted him for the new Nevin Spence Centre @UlsterRugby. The centre is amazing- go see! pic.twitter.com/2gMGZag3UF — EmmaSpenceArt (@EmmaSpenceArt) August 27, 2015 Source: EmmaSpenceArt /Twitter

The centre will open to the public (who should make reservations before visiting) and will include art from Emma Rice, Spence’s sister who was hospitalised after the same tragedy, and memorabilia such as an Ireland Jersey belonging to the late great Jack Kyle and Willie John McBride’s Lion mascot from 1974.

Source: INPHO

At the opening of the Nevin Spence Centre - an excellent and fitting celebration of a wonderful young man. pic.twitter.com/zyZIDaS8sk — Andrew Thompson (@thompo2010) August 27, 2015 Source: Andrew Thompson /Twitter

Ulster CEO Shane Logan, minister Caral Ni Chuilinand Emma Rice take in the centre. Source: Presseye/Matt Mackey/INPHO

Here’s a walkthrough Ulster Rugby posted on their YouTube channel.

Reservations for the centre can be made by emailing nevinspencecentre@ulsterrugby.com