Changing times at Patrick Sarsfields GAC
Date published:
The Department for Communities has welcomed the official opening of new changing rooms at Patrick Sarsfields GAC in West Belfast.
The Department contributed £230,000 to the redevelopment of the facilities, with Sport Northern Ireland contributing a further £100,000.
The Department’s investment came from the Building Successful Communities (BSC) programme. One of the aims of the Programme is to target ways to bring physical, economic and social regeneration to each of the BSC areas. This projects meets that aim by enhancing the changing facilities available within the local area to enable residents to take part in recreational activities both in a competitive and leisure capacity.
Seamus Hillock from the Department for Communities said: “Lenadoon and Glencolin is one of six areas that are included in the Building Successful Communities pilot programme. One of the things we are aiming to achieve with this programme is to improve the local environment through upgrading and improving access to amenities in order to unlock physical and social regeneration. This project was identified by the Lenadoon and Glencolin Regeneration Forum as being a priority for the area. The Department is pleased to have been able to deliver on one of the priorities for the area. We wish Patrick Sarsfields GAC every success with their new facilities.”
Sport NI also contributed £100,000 to the project.
Sport Northern Ireland CEO Antoinette McKeown said: “On behalf of Sport Northern Ireland, I would like to congratulate Patrick’s Sarsfields GAC on the opening of their new facilities. This project is the latest example of how National Lottery players are helping to enrich local communities by creating spaces for people of all ages, genders and abilities to enjoy, engage and excel in sport. Sport NI is proud to have helped deliver these new facilities through our investment, the expertise of our staff and collaboration with the Department for Communities and Groundwork NI. Clubs like Patrick’s Sarsfields are at the heart of making sport happen and we look forward to seeing the impact of this project in helping them continue their great work in getting people in the local community active.”
Sarsfields Development Committee said: “Sarsfield’s are delighted that the Department for Communities and SportNI have supported them in the development and delivery of these modern and accessible facilities for all in the community, which are widely used by a range of different local organisations.
This has been a great example of a partnership working together for the benefit of everyone including the disadvantaged and ethnic communities and has helped social integration.”
Notes to editors:
- Lenadoon & Glencolin area is one of six pilot areas that have been selected by the Department to be offered intervention under the Building Successful Communities (BSC) Programme, 5 areas in Belfast and 1 in Ballymena
- A Regeneration Forum has been established in each of the pilot areas which is comprised of statutory organisations, local community and elected political representatives. The Lenadoon & Glencolin Forum identified the provision of these changing facilities as a priority for the area
- More information on the BSC Pilot Programme is available
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