Enfield Hall opening creates much-needed focal point for community life
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Acting Director of Services for Economic Development Majella Farrell, Treasurer of the Enfield Development Group Angela Smith, Chair of the Enfield Development Group, Aisling Naughton, Cathaoirleach of Trim MD, Cllr Ronan Moore, Deputy Chief Executive of Meath County Council, Des Foley as the key to Enfield Hall is officially handed over.Image 2 of 3
Celebrations as Enfield Community Hall is officially opened.Image 3 of 3
Meath County Council Deputy Chief Executive Des Foley at the official opening of the refurbished hall which will provide a much needed space of community events, classes and activities.Enfield Community Hall was officially opened last Friday morning, following over €900,000 in major refurbishments delivered by Meath County Council in partnership with the Enfield Development Group.
Officially opened by Cathaoirleach of Trim Municipal District Cllr Ronan Moore, who is also a current committee member of the Enfield Development Group, the once-vacant and derelict Enfield Community Hall has been transformed into a modern, vibrant community facility.
The major project saw the restoration of the original timber flooring, now lined for multiple sport activities; refurbishment of the hall’s stage; installation of new mechanical, electrical and energy-efficient heating systems; and the provision of a new upstairs meeting room.
The redevelopment was made possible through significant investment, with €500,000 secured from the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme with the difference being met by contributions from Meath County Council and the Enfield Development Group.
Cathaoirleach of Trim MD, Cllr Ronan Moore said: “I am delighted to officially open Enfield Community Hall this morning—an important project made possible through the dedication of the Enfield Development Group and local volunteers, as well as the efforts of our staff in Meath County Council.
“Enfield Community Hall will be a much-needed focal point for community life, creating a welcoming and inclusive space where people of all ages can come together to take part in a wide range of activities, events and programmes.”
Chair of the Enfield Development Group, Aisling Naughton, added: “This is a landmark day for Enfield. The Community Hall has always held a special place in the hearts of local people and we are delighted to see it restored as a modern, welcoming community facility.
“We are grateful to Meath County Council, the project team and everyone in the community who supported the project along the way, and we look forward to opening the doors to the people of Enfield in the months ahead.”
Deputy Chief Executive of Meath County Council, Des Foley said the redevelopment of Enfield Community Hall “demonstrates the impact of collaborative working, with Meath County Council and the Enfield Development Group combining their expertise and commitment to deliver a high-quality community asset for the area”.
“Projects such as this are central to our vision of building strong, sustainable and connected communities,” he added.
This year marks ten years since Enfield Development Group was formed and Treasurer Angela Smith said they could think of no better way to celebrate that milestone than by seeing Enfield Community Hall brought back to life.
“The hall means so much to so many people in the community, and we are grateful to everyone who has supported the project over the years. We are excited to begin the next chapter and to see the hall once again at the heart of community life in Enfield.”
On Wednesday of last week Enfield Development Group signed a licence agreement with Meath County Council to take over the running of the facility.
One of their first priorities is to hold a community day to give locals the chance to see the newly refurbished hall.
Enfield Development Group was formed in 2016 to lobby for community facilities and in a presentation to Meath County Council in 2018 outlined how two options that could be explored were the former ESB premises owned by the OPW on the Main Street and also what was then known as St Patrick's Parish Hall and owned by the Diocese of Meath and had been closed due to health and safety.
Since then Meath Co Council purchased the former ESB offices which have been refurbished as a Enfield Community and Economic Hub including a library, which was officially opened three years ago.
Efforts to reopen the former parish hall have taken longer to bring to fruition with a major challenge being the huge rise in construction costs which delayed the second phase of the works and resulted in the works being tenderer a second time.
The council agreed to purchase the hall from Enfield Development Group and additional funding was secured to finish the project including a €500,000 grant through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.