8 June 2006
WARM WELCOME FOR ALL AT STRABANE'S NEW COURTYARD
An attractive and welcoming new civic space will provide a little 'oasis' in the centre of Strabane.
Social Development Minister, David Hanson, today announced that £316,000 is being invested from the Government's Integrated Development Fund in the new square, situated at the town's new Arts and Culture Centre, bringing new paving, lighting, street furniture and a piece of public art which will be commissioned through an open competition to the area.
The Minister said: "Strabane District Council, in partnership with my Department and ILEX, has developed an ambitious vision for the town designed to boost the local economy and place it at the forefront of local arts and tourism. This project is another key milestone in the achievement of that vision and underlines the Department for Social Development's commitment to generate real changes that will improve the quality of life in our towns and cities.
"I am delighted that we are now seeing the delivery on the ground, in the North West, of new regeneration projects which the Integrated Development Fund has helped to bring about. The new square will complement the work already carried out at the new Arts and Cultural Centre and will provide visitors with an attractive and safe area to meet and relax in, to enjoy sunny days and to watch the world go by!"
The Department for Social Development's North West Development Office will oversee the project's delivery in partnership with Strabane District Council which is contributing £37,621 towards the overall costs. This is on top of the £2.75m already provided by Government for the Arts and Cultural Centre which is currently under construction and due to be completed in October 2006.
The project has been undertaken through the Strabane 2000 Initiative and is among a number of projects designed to further the development of Strabane and surrounding areas.
Welcoming the funding, Brian McMahon, Chairman of Strabane District Council said: "The courtyard scheme will create a new practical civic space within the town centre. It links together the Library and the Arts Centre sites and provides a new linkage between the town centre, the score site civic space and the Dock Street car park. It is a pump priming investment which will trigger the development of adjacent sites for private development in the future."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The total cost of the environmental improvement scheme is £353,261. Funding of £316,000 has been provided through the Integrated Development Fund. Strabane District Council is contributing £37,621
- The Integrated Development Fund (IDF) was established to promote an innovative and integrated approach to local development. The North West area was identified as one of the four pilot areas eligible to apply for IDF support. A total of £24.8m in IDF support is available in principle for 11 projects in the North West dependent upon each satisfying the formal assessment requirements (approved economic appraisals). To date IDF funding has been agreed for 5 projects within the area. The total cost of these projects is £12.52m of which the IDF element is £2.68m. The remainder are at various stages of development.
- For further information contact the DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078.
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