Attwood opens new £1.4million Ballymote extension in Downpatrick

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood MLA today officially opened the new £1.4million extension to the Ballymote Centre, Downpatrick.

The Centre is a community operated social enterprise venture which first opened in the 1990s.

The completed £1.4million extension scheme is the first phase of a £4.2million project to provide business, health, community and sporting accommodation for the residents of the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Area.

The works carried out included construction of:

• additional commercial space for the supermarket and other shops;
• a health and well being area;
• extra offices for commercial and community work;
• a refurbished internal community hall;
• a new modern crèche;
• improved access; and
• a resurfaced car-park.

Alex Attwood said: “The extension to the Ballymote Centre is a boost for people living in Downpatrick. It has provided a focal point for the residents of the area since it opened and the new extension will allow it to develop further for the benefit of the local community.

“I want our urban regeneration projects to deliver shared public space, places that people from all communities can access and enjoy.”

The Minister paid tribute to all of those involved in the development of the project, he said: “I congratulate the board, manager and members of Ballymote Community Project Ltd on their achievement. I am aware that the project was over seven years in the making with many ups and downs along the way, however the community never gave up and today you are able to reap the benefits of your patience and tenacity. I would also like to acknowledge the role of others such as Flying Horse Ward Community Forum who added community involvement from the start, Downpatrick Neighbourhood Partnership and Down District Council who managed the project.”

“Since 2005 DSD has provided funding of over £2.4million on a range of projects in the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal area and in the process has levered in an additional £3.4million from other sources. This demonstrates the Department’s commitment towards addressing the inequalities which exist in areas of disadvantage.”

The project is expected to secure existing jobs and be a springboard for economic expansion in the future. It was managed and facilitated by Down District Council and this phase of the work was funded by the Department for Social Development, the International Fund for Ireland and the South Eastern Trust.

Anne Henderson, Board Member of the International Fund for Ireland, which contributed £750,000 to the Project, said: “Affordable workspace for start-up and established businesses, such as that provided by Ballymote Business Centre, is vital for local communities to be able to stimulate growth and help to build a strong and vibrant economy now and in the future.

“The International Fund for Ireland is very pleased to have helped Ballymote Community Project Limited to extend its business centre which includes a community centre, both of which have already had a very positive impact on community life. The extension to the business centre has created 21 new jobs, and the community centre has provided much needed local services, including: child care facilities, space for youth activities and clubs for the elderly, and enabled a variety of training programmes to be implemented.

“The Fund is very keen to support projects – such as the Ballymote Centre – which have the potential to deliver sustainable, long-term, positive impacts long after the Fund ceases to exist. I am also pleased to note the positive work delivered through the community relations project, also supported by the Fund, which has run in tandem with the capital build project.”

Work on the second phase of the project which comprises a full size sports hall, a large boxing and fitness area and a youth facility is nearing completion and should be open early next year.

Notes to editors:

1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' which was published in June 2003, sets out government’s proposals for closing 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.
2. Since January 2005, the Department for Social Development has approved neighbourhood renewal funding of over £2.4million on a number of projects in Downpatrick levering additional funding of £3.4million from other statutory bodies. The money has been used for such issues as community development, training and development, health and wellbeing projects, cross community work, environmental improvements such as a playground for young people etc.
3. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.