27 March 2006
CENTRE OF DONEMANA TO BE REVAMPED
A £225,000 project to improve the centre of Donemana has begun, Social Development Minister David Hanson said today.
The project, to replace a prominent but derelict village centre property with a new building offering a mix of commercial and residential space, is the third phase of a CRISP scheme which began in 1996. Funding is being provided by the Department for Social Development (DSD), International Fund for Ireland and Strabane District Council.
The project has been taken forward by Donemana and District Community Association.
Welcoming the start of the project the Minister said:
"It is particularly appropriate that phase 3 of this project begins this year as it is the tenth anniversary of the approval of the CRISP scheme in 1996. In the 10 years since then, much has been done to improve the look of the village and this will be consolidated when phase 3 is completed.
"Donemana and District Community Association has already successfully implemented the two earlier phases which provides much needed industrial and commercial floor space, and created new employment opportunities."
Welcoming the start of phase 3 of the project, International Fund for Ireland Chairman Denis Rooney said:
"CRISP has been very successful in assisting many community groups like the Donemana and District Development Association to implement major regeneration projects in disadvantaged areas throughout Northern Ireland. The Association has, through their efforts, demonstrated their dedication and commitment to the regeneration of their village.
This third phase will build on their success and further improve the village both socially and economically."
The Chairman of Strabane District Council, Councillor Brian McMahon also welcomed the start of the project for Donemana and wished Donemana and District Development Association continued success for the future. "Strabane District Council was committed to help improve all towns and villages in the district" he said.
Work on the scheme is due to be completed later this year.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Work completed to date includes 1500 square metres of industrial workspace within a reclaimed abandoned quarry in phase 1 and a main street shop and office development in phase 2.
- CRISP, the Community Regeneration and Improvement Special Programme was launched in 1990 to assist communities in the reinvigoration of the most disadvantaged towns and villages with a population under 10,000. The programme is closed to new applications and is now being wound up.
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