New Health and Community Hub opens in Dungannon

Sportspeople, musicians, dancers, community groups and schools are set to benefit following the official opening of a new £1.3million health and community hub at Thomas Clarke’s Gaelic Football Club in Dungannon.

The facility, which will provide a state-of-the-art space for local community groups and promote health and wellbeing in the area, was made possible thanks to a £973,000 investment by Department for Communities.

A significant contribution of almost £328,000 was also made by Thomas Clarke’s.

Attending the official opening, Department for Communities Deputy Secretary, Emer Morelli said the new hub would provide increased opportunities for a wide range of people in Dungannon and the surrounding areas.

Emer said:

“It is extremely rewarding to see a forward-thinking concept become reality and I commend everyone who devoted the time, effort and commitment to help us reach this point.

“One of the Department’s strategic objectives is to help develop our communities, build confidence and improve the quality of life for people living in local areas. I believe this health and community hub ticks all those boxes.

“Not only will it provide new opportunities for young people and encourage a greater participation in sport, physical activity and community and cultural initiatives, it will also benefit people of all ages, abilities and genders through a range of outreach activities.

“It is a fine example of what can be achieved when government departments, councils, Neighbourhood Renewal Partnerships, stakeholders and communities come together to deliver on a vision that meets the needs of those living in the local area.”

The new hub aims to improve social conditions through better co-ordinated provision of a range of community-based activities while catering for a diverse range of groups, including footballers, hurlers, musicians, dancers, community groups and local schools.

The project was led by Mid Ulster District Council, on behalf of Thomas Clarke’s, with the support of the Dungannon Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership.

Notes to editors: 

1. Image caption – Cutting the ribbon at the official opening of a new health and community hub at Thomas Clarke’s GFC in Dungannon are from left, Francie Molloy (chair of Coalisland and Dungannon Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership), Department for Communities Deputy Secretary Emer Morelli, John McNulty (Thomas Clarke’s GFC chairperson) and Chair of Mid Ulster District Council Dominic Molloy.
2. Department for Communities and its Neighbourhood Renewal Programme has been addressing deprivation and disadvantage in the Dungannon and Coalisland area through the local Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership. Physical renewal is a key area of the programme and the partnership has, through a DfC process based on need, compiled a list of capital schemes that are ranked in order of priority. As capital funding becomes available these projects are advanced. The Thomas Clarke’s GFC Health and Community Hub was one of these projects.
3. Department for Communities provided £972,817 of funding for the project, with Thomas Clarke’s GFC investing £327,755.
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