CLARE Fine Gael TD Joe Carey has confirmed that almost €800,000 in Government funding is being made available to carry out refurbishment and repairs at seven Community Centres throughout the county.
“The money from the Department of Rural and Community Development’s Community Centres Investment Fund is intended to finance work on local halls that were closed for long periods during the Covid pandemic.
“It will also help local community groups re-focus on how these local facilities can provide a wider range of benefits and supports to everyone,” Deputy Carey explained.
The biggest individual allocation of €285,000 went to the Newmarket-on-Fergus Community Centre for an extensive refurbishment project which is scheduled for completion by next September.
It involves the installation of solar panels and LED lighting in the main hall to reduce the carbon footprint of the community centre and reduce energy costs. Repair work to both the main hall and the temperance hall will include the installation of a partition system in the main hall and refurbishment of the toilets and changing rooms.
This will enable two groups to use the hall simultaneously and so increase the number and frequency of services available to users.
These services are provided to a number of marginalised and disadvantaged groups including Shannon Flyers Special Olympics group, youth group, older peoples groups, the Traveller community, who attend bingo in the centre, as well as the Hindu community who use the hall to celebrate the Diwali festival and Eastern European groups who hold weddings and christening parties there.
€200,000 was allocated to the 12th Clare Tulla Scout Group for a refurbishment project which includes roofing, insulation, new ceilings and flooring, damp proofing, new electrics and heating along with upgraded toilets and kitchen facilities.
The Broadford Development Association received €194,625 for the renovation of the annex and upgrading the kitchen facilities at the Broadford Community Hall.
An allocation of €57,400 was made to the Corofin Community Hall and Field committee to acquire a 65-seat retractable mobile seating unit and the installation of a CCTV system and intruder alarm.
The Lissycasey Pastoral Council and Ballynacally Development Association were each awarded €25,000 to fund improvement works in their community centres.
A further €6,800 was allocated to the Kilfenora Community Centre for maintenance of the gable wall to prevent water damage.
Photo: Newmarket-on-Fergus Community Centre which received the biggest allocation.
