A community centre for the Newcastle area will become a reality if it is successful in securing money under a new fund being established by the Department of Rural and Community Development.
The Newcastle Combined Community Association, which is campaigning for the facility, has raised more than €200,000 for the proposed centre. According to Independent Galway West TD, Noel Grealish, it is shovel ready and is supported by the Galway City Council, which would match capital funding from the Government.
Need for community centre
In the Dáil this week, Dep Grealish asked Minister Heather Humphries if a scheme would be announced for the construction of new community centres, and he highlighted the case of the Newcastle area, which has a population of 6,000 people.
“People in the area need a facility such as a community centre within reach of their homes,” he said. “They need somewhere to meet up with their neighbours, enjoy social activities and take further-education courses. Approximately 60 per cent of the residents of the area are retired and have absolutely no facilities, be they community, commercial or otherwise.”
Funding streams
Minister Humphries said there were a number of funding streams for the upgrade and development of community centres, and that a new capital fund for the upgrade of community centres was currently being developed within her Department.
“I recommend the group make an application, and we will take it from there,” she said. “When we open the community centre fund, the group will be able to apply. The plan is that the fund initially will be for renovations, more so than for new builds, but each application will be assessed on its own merit, as is always the case.”
