Attwood opens Dunsford cross community centre

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood today officially opened a cross community resource centre in Dunsford, near Ardglass.

The 170 year old former school house has been transformed into a community centre through a refurbishment and extension project, supported by the Department’s Modernisation Fund. It will provide a multi purpose facility within the local area for all age groups, offering:

• evening classes covering subjects such as arts, crafts and languages;
• recreational and playgroup facilities; and
• catering services for weddings, christenings and local events.

Alex Attwood said: "This is good news for people in the area. As well as delivering important services to the local community, the refurbishment and renovation of the old school house will preserve the beauty of an historic building. It is turning an old abandoned facility into a new hub of activity for the community.

"The investment from my Department of almost £95,000, will help promote the growth of organisations within the Dunsford and Ardglass communities. This will harness the strength of the voluntary and community sector and benefit all people living in the area."

Notes to editors:

1. The objective of the Modernisation Fund is to support voluntary and community organisations to modernise to enable them to become more sustainable and deliver new and better services in an era of change. The capital programme will encourage collaboration and resource sharing among voluntary and community groups and will be managed across the schemes making up the programme.
2. The Department for Social Development’s Modernisation Fund provided £94,248 to bring the property back into use after closing its doors over a decade ago.
3. News Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078 / 07970 976 894. Out of office please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.