The Waterside Health and Social Centre, which was completed in October 2007, won the design award for the best new building in the £3.5million plus category. The Department for Social Development (DSD) assembled the site for this £6 million development and provided funding of some £200,000 towards the total cost of the project. A further £80,000 was provided for environmental enhancements around the new building.
The Alley Arts and Conference Centre in Strabane, which opened in May 2007, received its design award for the best new building in the £750,000 to £3million category. DSD contributed funding of some £725,000 towards total project costs of some £3.3 million. In addition, a further £316,000 was made available to complete an adjacent courtyard scheme to complement the overall project.
Welcoming the awards Ms Ritchie said: “I warmly congratulate both Braehead Developments, who brought forward the Waterside Health and Social Care Centre project, and Strabane District Council who played the lead role in delivering the Alley Arts and Conference Centre on their well deserved success in this prestigious competition.
“My Department played a central role in developing, facilitating and funding both projects which have brought vitality to the surrounding areas while delivering the services and facilities that local people need.
“These awards are a well deserved recognition of the efforts of all those involved in bringing these projects to such a successful conclusion. They also reaffirm that high quality urban design can improve people’s quality of life and create a welcoming and reassuring environment for everyone to enjoy.”
Notes to Editors:
- Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 90829496. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
