Edgarstown Community centre in Portadown to be refurbished - McCausland

Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced funding of £71,090 for the refurbishment of the Edgarstown Community Base in Portadown.
~ Tuesday, 7 June 2011

The project, which is being funded from the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund, will enable the property to accommodate a much wider range of uses by the Edgarstown Residents’ Association.

Announcing the funding Minister McCausland said: “The people of Portadown who are served by the Edgarstown Residents’ Association will have modern facilities that will offer a diverse range of learning and fun based activities.

“The Edgarstown Residents’ Association has been operating out of its premises at Union Street in Portadown for over five years and while it has done some excellent work, the range of activities which it can provide is restricted by the inadequacy of the building. The funding will create a purpose built facility for the residents of Edgarstown and allow the Association to improve is activities even further.”

The Minister acknowledged the role of the Housing Executive, who will manage the work, and the Portadown Neighbourhood Partnership who identified the scheme. Minister McCausland continued: “A key factor in successfully tackling deprivation and regenerating areas is through a partnership approach between local and central government and the community sector. This project is an excellent example of cooperation that delivers real improvements for the people living in disadvantaged communities.”

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. 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.
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