Ennis Scouts can look forward to moving into their new state-of-the-art den after they received the final tranche of funding needed to complete the project, Clare TD Joe Carey has announced.
Construction on the new scout hall is now at an advanced stage. And this week the chief executive of Clare Local Development Company, Dóirín Graham, confirmed to Deputy Carey that Ennis Scouts now have the final piece of the funding jigsaw needed to complete the project.
Deputy Carey, who has lobbied within Government for funding for the project over the past two years, said: “This is fantastic news for Ennis Scouts and indeed for the entire local community.
“Construction on the new scout hall is well underway and soon we will have a purpose-built 21st century building in the heart of Ennis to serve young people from the age of six up to 18.
“Scouting is growing in popularity locally and there is a waiting list of children who want to experience all the positive activities, lessons and adventure that scouts enjoy and thrive from.
“The new two-storey hall will allow Ennis Scout to expand and continue to provide a wide-range of activities for our children to enjoy.”
Deputy Carey said the remaining funding for the scout den was made possible after his party colleague, the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands Heather Humphreys, introduced an initiative in July which allowed Clare local development companies to move surplus money from some community projects to others.
Deputy Carey had lobbied for the move, and again raised the issue with Minister Humphreys in the Dáil this week in relation to other community projects.
The Clarecastle-based TD praised the work of Clare Local Development Company, which he described as “an outstanding organisation”. Deputy Carey told the Dáil: “It [Clare Local Development Company] has existed for 28 years and has managed LEADER funding in county Clare in an outstanding fashion. I pay tribute to the CEO, Doirin Graham, and her staff.”
Deputy Carey also praised the “heroic” fundraising efforts of Ennis Scouts and local community organisations who have worked so hard to raise money for the new building through a wide range of innovative events, including a concert, a fashion show, supermarket bag packs, quizzes, bake sales and a series of Winter Walks, to name but a few.
Deputy Carey added: “This project has been made possible thanks to an incredible community effort. I have been proud to be able to assist the project in any way I could and I would like to pay tribute to all of the scouts, their leaders and all of the local community groups and organisations who have worked so hard to make this fantastic new facility a reality.”
