Ritchie announces major funding boost for youth in Lurgan

The Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie MLA, today announced almost £0.5 million pounds for a cross community youth facility in Lurgan town centre.

The funding, which will go to Underground ECF Links Ltd, will enable it to fit out its existing premises to provide state of the art youth facilities open to young people from both communities.

Margaret Ritchie said: “This is a great boost for young people in Lurgan. I really appreciate the great work being done for youth in the area. I am pleased to provide these funds for Underground ECF Links Ltd.”

The Minister also highlighted that many youth projects tend to be sport orientated. She said: “Providing funding for a project which caters for different interests means young people from both communities will enjoy the benefits of music, dance and drama.”

In the current financial year funding of £90,000 has also been allocated to provide community bases for both the Shankill & Wakehurst Community Development Association and the Albert Street & Lough Road Residents Association. In addition a funding package of £139,143, over a three year period, was awarded for a Sports Development Officer, based at the Clan Na Gael Gaelic Athletic Club, who works in local schools with young people from the Lurgan area promoting healthy and active lifestyles.

Margaret Ritchie concluded: “My officials are currently assessing a number of other youth facility projects for the Lurgan area including the provision of a Multi Use Games Area, costing in the region of £100,000, in the Kilwilkie/Lurgantarry estates. I remain committed to providing state of the art youth facilities in deprived areas.”

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.

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. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.