Plans are underway for the new Grove Well-Being Centre on Belfast’s York Road received a £1.1 million boost today from Social Development Minister Margaret Richie.

Announcing the investment today, with Belfast’s Lord Mayor Pat McCarthy, Minister Ritchie explained that the funding from DSD will be used by the Council to finish the outside of the Centre to an exceptionally high standard, ensuring it is safe, attractive, welcoming and easily maintained.

Particular features include:

• High quality landscaping of the site
  
  
• A discreet steel mesh which will protect the front of the building
• Innovative lighting which will be used to illuminate the mesh and the building frontage. This decorative lighting subtly adjusts in colour, creating a constantly changing effect to highlight the building’s architectural features throughout the day and night.

The Centre is currently being built on the York Road, and is a project involving the Belfast City Council, Belfast Health & Social Care Trust and Belfast Education Board.

Speaking at the event in the City Hall, Minister Ritchie commented: “I believe that this funding to enhance the physical appearance of the Centre will make a significant contribution to the impact of this landmark project within inner city north Belfast. It will be a facility in which local communities can take pride. As I see it, my Department’s contribution represents the ‘icing on the cake’ for this fine project. The Grove Well-Being Centre is located on a key arterial route, close to Belfast city centre. It is also within an area that has been identified by my Department as suffering from deprivation.”

He continued: “This wonderful new Centre points the way. When complete, it will present a key opportunity to regenerate this part of inner north Belfast, fitting neatly with ongoing developments currently being led by my Department in the area; the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast city centre, and plans in respect of Girdwood Barracks and Crumlin Road Gaol. All of these projects complement each other and collectively are of strategic importance in tackling disadvantage in north Belfast.”

(JM/SP)