Shankill To Benefit From Council Funding

Older people from the Shankill area of Belfast are to benefit from a cash boost via the City Council's £5m Local Investment Fund.

West Belfast Orange Hall has been awarded £50,000 to begin renovation works to improve accessibility within the building.

The investment will help meet the needs of older users who find it difficult to access the upper floors of the facility.

Planned improvements include work to the main staircase and the installation of a new chair lift.

The Local Investment Fund provides councillors with funding of between £15,000 and £250,000 to support projects in their respective communities.

£1.13m is earmarked each to the north, south, east and west of the city, with a further £490,000 allocated for the Shankill area.

Today’s funding boost follows the completion of other projects in the Shankill area, including a new 3G pitch at Hammer and new pitches in the Highfield/Springmartin neighbourhood.

The Local Investment Fund is part of the council’s £150m Investment Programme to improve facilities across the city.

"This fund has given local councillors from all parties a unique opportunity to direct investment into organisations and facilities that we know make a real difference on the ground," explained Councillor Brian Kingston, Chair of the Greater Shankill Area Working Group.

"We are very pleased to include West Belfast Orange Hall in this programme, in recognition of the venue it offers for meetings and activities organised by a wide range of community groups, as well as cultural and youth organisations."

"This money will enable vital renovation work and accessibility improvements to be made at this historic local hall, while greatly improving the experience of older residents who use the building."

(IT/CD)