Ritchie opens play area at Mount Zion House, Lurgan

Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie MLA today officially opened a new covered play area during a visit to Mount Zion House, Lurgan.

Funding of £44,000 was provided through the Minister’s Department for the construction of the play area, known as ‘Zion’s Den’, as part of the existing childcare facility at the complex.

The Minister spoke of the valuable contribution Mount Zion House is making to community life in the local area, saying: “This is an excellent example of a community-led project providing much needed services and facilities for the area which it serves and shows what can be achieved through partnership.

“It is a pleasure also that in a divided town such as Lurgan, local people have worked hard to maintain the cross-community aspect of the Zion’s Den facility. I have put ‘Shared Future’ at the heart of my Department’s work, and this is where we start - children playing in a cross-community environment.”

Following a tour of the complex, the Minister also visited the Albert Street and Lough Road Residents' Association community office. Commenting on the work of the group she said: “I recognise the important role which the voluntary sector has to play as an equal partner in helping to tackle deprivation in the North and I am committed to ensuring that local people in Lurgan are able to contribute to the decision making process.”

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. Mount Zion House is a major community facility which is operated by the Shankill Lurgan Community Association/Community Projects. It is situated in the former

St Joseph’s convent which was renovated in 1977 at a cost of £2.2million, principally funded by DSD, the EU Special Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, and the Physical and Social Environment Programme.

3. The building currently provides facilities for young homeless people aged 15 -25, a childcare crèche and after-school scheme, as well as various other community services and office accommodation for a range of organisations, including the Albert Street Residents' Group, whose accommodation costs are also met by DSD through Neighbourhood Renewal Investment fund.

4. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9496. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.