€1.9m in funding announced for new Kilcloon Community Centre
The village of Kilcloon is South Meath is celebrating today after it was announced it has been approved for €1.9m in funding for its new community centre.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has unveiled an investment of over €30 million, which will deliver 12 new community centres nationwide.
The Minister made the announcement while visiting Newcastle in Galway, which after today’s announcement, is to receive over €4.3 million to build a brand new community centre.
The successful community centre projects, announced today, will receive capital grants of between €1 million and €6 million to build multi-functional centres in areas that currently lack community facilities.
The Community Centres Investment Fund – was launched in March 2023 to provide investment for new and ambitious community projects in our towns and villages.
After providing funding of €45.8m to over 860 projects for refurbishments, Minister Humphreys decided to put a renewed focus on supporting communities that have no community centre at all.
The projects being funded under today’s announcement are
· Aras Lae, Maigh Cuilinn, Co. Galway - €6,000,000
· Tullow Road Community Hub, Carlow Town –€4,135,178.
· Newcastle Community Centre, Galway City – €4,343,255.
· Rylane Community Centre, Co. Cork - €1,595,574
· Ballina Scouting Den and Community Centre, Co Mayo - €1,152,193
· Kilcloon Community Centre, Co. Meath: - €1,915,000
· Rockcorry Community Centre, Co. Monaghan: - €2,667,785
· Moneygall Community Centre, Co Offaly - €1,407,660
· Ballymote Community Centre, Co. Sligo - €2,650,991
· Kilglass Community Centre, Co. Sligo -€1,163,710
· Ballymitty Community Development, Co. Wexford - €1,398,035
· Riverchapel Community Centre, Co. Wexford - €1,797,919
Making the announcement, Minister Humphreys said:
“I am delighted today to announce details of the successful projects under the Community Centre Investment Fund 2023.
“Today, we are investing over €30 million in 12 new build facilities – this will be transformational for our rural towns and villages.
“Our community centres bring people of all ages together, whether it be for sporting, educational or social occasions.
“They are vital for engaging with those who may find themselves marginalised and they give everyone in the community a great sense of belonging.
“They build, stronger, more vibrant communities – places that for so many people act as a home from home.
“You could say that the Community Centre is the cornerstone of community life in many towns, villages and cities around the country.
“When I launched this fund last year with a €20M allocation, I expected to approve 5 or 6 projects. Taking account of the quality of the applications and the identified needs, I am today approving funding for 12 of the applications received with funding of over €30m.
“This funding will assist community groups striving to build their own community centre to service local needs and the level of interest has shown that these centres, when complete, will be the heart of many a community.”
These projects are all on brown or green field sites and have all the necessary planning and consents secured so they are already at an advanced stage and ready to commence following a tender process.
This Fund targets areas without an appropriate facility to meet their community’s needs. The centres range in size from single storey to two-storey buildings and will be located in rural and urban settings across nine counties.
"This funding is all about giving a helping hand to our local groups as they serve their communities with such dedication and generosity.
“I am always struck by the immense pride communities have in their locality. The community centre is a safe, positive and accessible space for all manner of community activities and I want to ensure that community centres continue to remain a hive of activity.
“I want to congratulate the successful projects and to thank them for the vital work they do in providing services in their local communities. This funding will deliver high quality community facilities that will bring benefits to these communities for many years to come.”
Welcoming the new, Minister for Sport and Meath East TD, Thomas Byrne said:
"I am truly delighted that Kilcloon Community Centre has been granted €1.915m this morning for the development of a new Community Centre for the parish, by Minister Humphreys.
"This is fantastic news and the entire local committee has worked really hard on the application, with fundraising ongoing locally for quite some time. This Centre will provide a hub for the community and is badly needed. I was delighted to meet the Committee recently to see for myself the incredible work done in this application.
"In thanking the committee, I appreciate the representations that Cllr Caroline O' Reilly has made, acknowledging also the work her late cousin Cllr Damien O' Reilly put in on this project.