Rural Affairs Minister, Edwin Poots has visited one of the first rural halls set to benefit from his £2million fund to refurbish some 50 similar community facilities across Northern Ireland.
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During his visit to Glenloughan Orange Hall in Kilkeel, he saw the poor condition it was in which highlighted the need to provide financial assistance to rural community and voluntary organisations to help make their facilities fit for purpose.
“The aim of the £2million Rural Halls Refurbishment Scheme is to deliver capital refurbishments to help keep community facilities viable, remain sustainable and identify new volunteers,” explained Minister Poots.
“Rural community halls are vital for those who use them. They provide a gathering place where people can feel involved in their local community and supported in their lives.
“This pilot scheme aims to alleviate some of the pressures on local rural community groups and will help to sustain and support these vital spaces. We are providing each successful applicant with up to £40,000 to carry out the vital work to these crucial local facilities.”
Minister Poots said the scheme was so popular it had been extended.
“We had intended to fund 30 organisations through this pilot Scheme however due to the high demand I have secured funding to enable 50 eligible applications to be included. This means training and refurbishment funding of just under £2million will go to 50 voluntary and community organisations.
“I am delighted to be here today at Glenloughan Orange Hall to see at first hand the much needed work is underway. This group is just one of 30 organisations who recently received their grant aid letters which has resulted in a £1million commitment from my Department.”
Glenloughan LOL 1914 was one of the first recipients of a Letter of Offer for grant funding from the Rural Halls Refurbishment Scheme.
The work to hall, which was built over 60 years ago, includes renovations to the roof, windows, doors, electrical works, heating, flooring and toilets helping to transform the community facility and greatly improve health, safety and hygiene standards.
A mandatory accredited ‘Managing your Space’ training programme is an integral part of the scheme and Glenloughan LOL 1914 has recently had six members complete their training.
A further 20 organisations commenced their mandatory ‘Managing Your Space’ training in early January and should receive their Letters of Offer in March/April 2022 with an estimated Letter of Offer value of £665,000.
Notes to editors:
- The Rural Halls Refurbishment Scheme is one of a number of pilot initiatives which emanated from the consultative works undertaken when drawing up the new Rural Policy Framework.
- The outcomes and lessons from this Scheme will contribute to the development of a future programme under the Rural Policy Framework however it is too early to confirm the type of programme and grant levels that will evolve from ongoing consultations.
- The Scheme targets rural halls in areas where there is significant deficiencies in ‘Access to Services’ and which have had limited previous investment, are under-utilised and restricted in usage.
- The Rural Halls Refurbishment Scheme is closed for applications.
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