Ground Broken On New Community Centre in North Lisburn
June 10, 2016
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is delighted to announce the commencement of the construction of the North Lisburn Community Centre in the Rathvarna area.
The new state of the art community facility will offer a number of rooms of varying sizes and can accommodate meetings, a youth club, mother and toddler groups etc. Adjoining the Community Centre will be a Community Garden that has been funded by the Alpha Project to provide a great outdoor space for people of all ages to enjoy.
This collaborative project commenced in February 2014 when a steering group met to consider the potential for a community facility. Within nine months the community had engaged with the Council and the Steering Group and development plans were released for review in November 2014.
Alderman Paul Porter, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee and Chair of the project Working Group, speaking at the sod cutting, said: “I am delighted to be joined by my good friend and fellow Working Group colleague Paul Givan to cut the first sod for this project that has been in development for over two years. It is excellent to see the ground being broken to mark the construction of this much needed community centre. Throughout the duration of this project there has been strong communication between the community and all relevant stakeholders. As a result of constructive engagement a fit-for-purpose community facility will soon be available to the residents of the wider North Lisburn area.
“This community centre, the last of the five satellite centres to be established, is expected to be a hub for the local residents to meet in. I would like to thank the Alpha Project for its generous funding support to provide an aesthetically pleasing green space that includes a wildflower garden and a habitat for wildlife. The Council would ask that all members of the community respect the importance of this resource to keep it looking as good as possible,” concluded Alderman Porter.
Dr Theresa Donaldson, Chief Executive, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor attended the official sod cutting and said: “I am delighted to be here to see the addition of this much needed facility. Communities are the heart and soul of the Council and this centrally located community centre will be the hub for all agencies that come into the area, which is in line with the Council’s community planning aspirations.”
The Steering Group was comprised of elected representatives, representatives from North Lisburn Community Investment, Windermere Community Association, Lisburn North Community Association, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and the Council.
Minister for Communities Paul Givan MLA added: “The dedication and commitment of all the key stakeholders including; Lisburn North Community Investment, the Resurgam Trust and local community groups has ensured that this project has been developed with a common sense of purpose. The contribution from everyone will also create a sense of belonging for those who will avail of this brand new facility on its completion. The commencement of the new community centre is another milestone for the local community and the wider redevelopment of Lisburn City.”
The Steering Group for the new North Lisburn community centre are pictured onsite with Minister for Communities Paul Givan MLA and Alderman Paul Porter. The Group is comprised of representatives from North Lisburn Community Investment, Windermere Community Association, Lisburn North Community Association, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council.