Community Hub opens in Doury Road

A new community hub for local residents in the Doury Road area of Ballymena Building Successful Communities pilot programme has been officially opened.

The hub provides a new and bright space for a broad range of community initiatives such as First Aid classes, Information Technology training, floral art and crafts.  The facilities will be accessible daily to all residents allowing improved social interaction within the area.

The Department for Communities (DfC) funded £65,000 towards the project and it was delivered in partnership with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

The official opening was conducted by Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim, Mrs Joan Christie CVO OBE.

The hub is one of the catalyst projects identified as part of the Department’s Building Successful Communities (BSC) programme.  One of the aims of the programme is to improve the local environment through upgrading and improving access to amenities in order to unlock physical and social regeneration.

Speaking at the event Gerry McAreavey from DfC said: “The Department is pleased to support this project and deliver on a key action identified by the local forum.  The hub will support the local community by delivering high quality services at the very centre of the estate and help improve access to opportunities that promote personal development, health and well-being to Doury Road residents.  I wish the Doury Road Development Group every success with these new facilities.”

Housing Executive Area Manager, Mairead Myles Davey, said: “The Housing Executive is delighted the Doury Road community now has its own premises in the centre of the estate providing services for local people.

“The Doury Road Development Group is to be commended for their continued work in this new community hub, and we look forward to the opening of their allotment project in the Spring.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Doury Road is one of six pilot areas that have been selected by the Department to be offered intervention under the Building Successful Communities (BSC) Programme, which is piloting housing-led regeneration in a number of designated areas.
2. A Regeneration Forum has been established in each of the pilot areas which is comprised of statutory organisations, local community and elected political representatives. 
3. The hub will be managed by local residents in the Doury Road Development Group
4. More information on the BSC Pilot Programme is available at   https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/topics/housing/building-successful-communities.
5. Media queries to DfC Press Office on 028 9082 3505 or email press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer on 028 90378110.
6. Follow us on twitter @CommunitiesNI

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