1 December 2006
CATHEDRAL ROAD CENTRE BUILDING ON SUCCESS - HANSON
Communities across Armagh City are set to benefit from new facilities unveiled at Cathedral Road Recreation and Community Centre.
A total of £192,390 funding from the Department for Social Development's Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, the European Union's Peace Programme, and the Council itself, has allowed Armagh City & District Council to fit out the first floor space in the Centre's pavilion.
Social Development Minister, David Hanson, congratulated Armagh City and District Council and the West Armagh Consortium on the work done to ensure the project was a success.
Mr Hanson commented: "This upgrade of the facilities at the Centre is a vote of confidence in its role as a focal point for community activity. It is within an area where my Department is committed to improving the quality of life through the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy. The Council and West Armagh Consortium are to be congratulated for their management of the Centre and I wish them every success for this and any future plans."
As well as the existing ground floor changing facilities and meeting room, the pavilion now has a multi-purpose room available for hire and additional office and floor space.
Security has been upgraded and disability access improved, including installation of a lift.
Mayor of Armagh City and District, Councillor William Irwin, said: "This is a great example of how the Council can work with grassroots community groups, such as the West Armagh Consortium, to maximise the benefits of funding and ensure we continue to improve the quality of life for local people.
"A real need was identified in the community for a facility of this kind, so it makes sense that funding was injection into an existing building, for it to be fully utilised and converted into a quality Centre that serves the needs of all."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The funding was made up of £75,366 from DSD Neighbourhood Renewal funding, £96,130 from the European Union's Peace Programme through the Youth Education Social Inclusion Partnership and £20,894 from Armagh City & District Council.
- The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' was published in June 2003 to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives.
- Community Renewal - to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.
- Economic Renewal - to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.
- Social Renewal - to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.
- Physical Renewal - to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.
- The Armagh Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership is one of those funded by DSD.
- For further media enquiries contact the DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078.
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