Ritchie heralds start of building work to Ballybot house

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today marked the start of building work for a new three-story extension to Ballybot House by inviting the contractors on site.

Ballybot House is Northern Ireland's first purpose-built, multi-purpose Community Resource Centre and comprises 25,000 square feet of office, retail and conference facilities.

Funding from the Department’s Modernisation Fund has enabled the Confederation of Community Groups to start work on the new extension which will add to this existing resource.

Margaret Ritchie said: “This extension to an already invaluable resource centre is a welcome boost for the people of this area. Through my Department’s Modernisation Fund, community organisations can benefit financially to help meet the needs of vulnerable members of our society. I welcome the start of work on this project as it will further enhance community cohesion and participation.

“By targeting resources in a way that has maximum impact, this extension work will add to a community hub which not only delivers the aims of the Modernisation Fund programme but demonstrates it in a practical way.”

Confederation of Community Groups Chairperson, David Cunningham, welcomed Minister Ritchie to Ballybot House, thanked her for the Department’s funding of this project and highlighted the importance of the project to the long term sustainability of the Confederation.

Raymond Jackson, Chief Executive added: “The additional capacity provided, following construction of the new annexe, should help meet both the needs of existing clients and provide additional facilities for local voluntary and community groups”.

The Department for Social Development has provided funding of £1.3million to build a new three-story annex to Ballybot House.

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.
2. 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.
3. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 90829078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.