Local community centres to benefit from over €450,000 in funding

Local community centres will benefit from over €450,000 in funding as part of the Community Centres Investment Fund announced by the Government.

Six community centres (four in South Westmeath and two in South Roscommon) have been allocated relevant funding to upgrade their facilities.

The successful projects in Westmeath include Ballinahown Community Centre which has received €100,000 towards roof maintenance; the Carmelite Pastoral Centre in Moate which has been allocated €68,419 towards partition wall replacement and roof repairs; Drumraney Community Centre which received €78,498 for the upgrade of kitchen facilities, emergency lighting, fire alarm system, furniture and interior painting and the Horseleap Streamstown Community Association which was allocated €83,282 towards windows and doors replacement, a heating system upgrade, solar panels and interior painting.

Welcoming the funding for the four South Westmeath community centres, Cllr Tom Farrell stated that the allocations would have a positive impact in the relevant communities.

"I want to welcome the allocation of funding which will benefit the local communities.

"Community centres are at the heart of rural life, providing a space for social, cultural, and sporting activities,” Cllr Farrell said.

The allocations were welcomed by constituency TDs, Minister Peter Burke and Minister Robert Troy, both of whom noted that the Community Centre Investment Fund was a hugely important resource for facilities which are in need of improvements and energy efficiency upgrades.

“Community centres are the lifeblood of our communities. They play host to some of our most important occasions, in good times and in bad," Minister Troy said.

"These upgrades will ensure our community centres remain fit for purpose and continue to serve our communities into the future," Minister Burke said.

Meanwhile, in South Roscommon two community centres were allocated funding for the upgrade of their facilities.

Drum Community Centre received €93,300 for the refurbishment of kitchen and toilet facilities and upgrades to floors and stage lighting, while Moore Community Centre was allocated €29,290 to fund the installation of solar panels, new windows and a bicycle rack.

The investment was welcomed by Cllr Valerie Duffy who expressed her thanks to all volunteers who gave of their time to complete the funding application process.