MGL Rural Development Partnership awards £308,000 towards Kilcoo Community Hub

The community of Kilcoo will soon benefit from grant funding of £308,000 to improve and upgrade its existing community hub at their grounds in the heart of Kilcoo. 

The funding has been awarded by Mourne, Gullion and Lecale (MGL) Rural Development Partnership from the Basic Services Scheme of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs’ (DAERA) Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme (NIRDP) 2014-2020.

Funding from the NIRDP, along with a significant contribution from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, will enable the installation of a commercial kitchen and a new IT learning suite, situated within a capital build, which will connect the two existing buildings to ensure a fully functioning community hub.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “This Community Hub aims to help deliver a range of cross-community activities and programmes which are sustainable, accessible and meet people’s needs. These initiatives reflect the objectives within our district’s Community Plan to provide access to services that ultimately benefit the health and wellbeing of our residents. I am pleased that Rural Development funding has been awarded for this project.”

Chairperson of MGL Rural Development Partnership, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew said, “The grant assistance was secured following an application to the Rural Basic Services Scheme Call for Financial Assistance during March 2018. We are delighted to work in partnership with DAERA, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and Kilcoo GAC to offer enhanced cross-community services in the area. This project is an excellent example of multiple groups coming together to achieve the delivery of basic community services such as health care and cultural, leisure and recreational activities, where there is a clear demonstrable need.”

Jerome Burns, Contract Manager, DAERA said, “The Leader Programme, through which this project is being funded, enables local people to determine the needs of their own area and decide how best to address these and this is an excellent example of how the programme is delivering on the ground.  I have every confidence that Kilcoo GAC, with its extensive number of dedicated volunteers and committee members will enable this project to reach its full potential and be a resounding success for the future”.

The improvement works to the community hub are due to complete during the summer of 2020 and committee members from Kilcoo GAC are looking forward to delivering an exciting range of leisure, educational and wellbeing activities for all ages, abilities and backgrounds.