New Community Centre For Coleraine

Funding has been announced for a new community centre in Coleraine.

The Harpur's Hill Community Centre in the town is to be replaced.

On Friday, Social Development Minister Mervyn Storey confirmed £100,000 was to be set aside for the project. The money has been awarded under the Department for Social Development's Areas at Risk (AaR) Programme. It is understood Coleraine Borough Council is also to contribute £149,000 towards the construction costs of the project.

When completed, the facility will provide additional meeting space for local groups and organisations, offer the provision of satellite services such as jobs and benefits clinics, as well as provide improved community/social/physical benefits for the local community. It will also create greater community involvement and ownership through the establishment of a users' committee.

Minister Storey said: "This project represents a positive step forward for the future of the Harpur's Hill area in improving the physical condition of the estate.

"The new Centre will provide a central focus for residents, which will see enhanced support and strengthening of the delivery of services to children and families living in the area. Such services will include a mother and toddler group, parenting classes, adult education classes and importantly, jobs and benefits clinics.

"This will result in a number of positive outcomes including a reduction in social exclusion, improved health, reducing crime and opening up opportunities to access sport."

Councillor George Duddy added: As Mayor of Coleraine, I am delighted that work at Harpur's Hill Community Centre can now commence.

"Coleraine Borough Council is committed to providing new and improved facilities for the residents of Harpur's Hill, the development of the Community Centre is essential to this.

"I very much look forward to the completion of the new Centre which will bring great opportunities for the area."

(JP/CD)