Minister Ritchie opens Richview Regeneration Centre, Belfast

A new £1.26million regeneration centre was today declared officially open at Belfast’s Donegall Road.

Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie MLA was joined by Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, Denis Rooney and Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Development Committee, Councillor Michael Browne in launching the Richview Regeneration Centre.

The newly constructed three storey building is being managed by the Greater Village Regeneration Trust.

DSD’s Belfast Regeneration Office committed £500,000 through its Neighbourhood Renewal Fund to assemble the site and provide an Urban Development Grant towards its construction.

Margaret Ritchie said: “The Richview Centre is an excellent example of what can be achieved through a number of bodies working together in partnership. This centre will help nurture community activity and enterprise, by providing affordable facilities for use by local businesses and groups."

"My Department is committed to the development of community empowerment in this part of the city. I am determined that through continued collective efforts we can, and will, make sure that Neighbourhood Renewal has a significant impact on the lives of the people in the area.”

Denis Rooney CBE, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, said: “The redevelopment of this site to create affordable office units and space for community activities is a fabulous achievement. The fact that the Centre is already occupied by Sure Start Village Children’s Centre is testament to the need for business space in the area.

“Community regeneration is about transformation. It is about making places more competitive, more attractive, empowering communities and restoring pride.

“The Greater Village Regeneration Trust (GVRT) has a vision to make its area in South Belfast a place to be proud of. This is a long-term process; and although many positive outcomes have already been achieved by the Trust, many challenges exist as recent events have demonstrated. I’m sure these challenges will not deflect GVRT from attaining their ultimate vision.”

Belfast City Council, with support from the European Regional Development Fund under the Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme, also contributed £300,000 to the project. Chairman of the Council’s Development Committee, Councillor Michael Browne said: “The development of key infrastructure sites across Belfast is a strategic priority for Belfast City Council. Richview can make a substantial contribution to the creation of new businesses and employment opportunities as well as impacting on the regeneration of one of our most deprived neighbourhoods.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' was published in June 2003 to close the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society.

2. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives:

• Community Renewal - to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.
• Economic Renewal - to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.
• Social Renewal - to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.
• Physical Renewal - to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.

3. DSD, through its Belfast Regeneration Office contributed £500,000 through its Neighbourhood Renewal Fund in site assembly costs and Urban Development Grant. International Fund for Ireland and Belfast City Council each contributed £300,000 of funding and the Ulster Community Investment Trust provided a loan of £250,000 to make up the total development costs.

4. The newly constructed Richview Regeneration Centre is a three storey building comprising five incubation units. There are also 4 offices and a large meeting room.

5. Media queries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.