Údarás na Gaeltachta has advertised an €8m tender for the construction of a community centre in Moycullen.
The project, which has been lobbied for by local people since the 1980s, received a €6m funding allocation earlier this year as part of a national Community Centres Investment Fund launched by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys.
Moycullen-based leader of the Seanad, Senator Sean Kyne (FG ), welcomed publication of the tender to construct a community centre in Killarainey, Moycullen, and news that Údarás na Gaeltachta will appoint a project manager to ensure delivery of the building.
The project is expected to take 16 months from commencement.
“The trees on the site were felled in February,” said Senator Kyne. “There is ongoing engagement between Údarás and Roinn na Gaeltachta, and Galway County Council, on the delivery of this vital project for the growing population of Maigh Cuilinn.”
The new, two-storey facility will include a community centre with sports hall, meeting rooms, changing rooms and an innovation hub for local start-ups in Moycullen, with involvement from University of Galway and Atlantic Technological University.
The tender for the build includes construction of an access road with double footpaths, car parking and landscaping. It will be located on woodland donated by Coillte, behind Brookhaven nursing home and the Doire Feá housing estate. Community development sources anticipate a spur from the proposed Galway to Clifden greenway to link to the community centre for bicycle access.
“Údarás are the lead partner in this project on behalf of Forbairt Pobal Maigh Cuilinn,” said Kyne, who added that he expects extra funding from the Department of the Gaeltacht and “local contributions” to make up a €2m shortfall.
A spokesman for Forbairt Pobail Mhaigh Cuilinn said it will concentrate on raising a €600,000 local contribution needed for the centre. In February, Lidl said it will donate €1,000 towards the development of a new community centre in Moycullen after it opened a supermarket there.
