The Tacu Family Resource Centre in Ballinrobe have been granted €150,000 for the development of youth facilities at the Maple Hall, the Mayo Advertiser has learned.
The money was granted by the South West Mayo Development Company for the development of a youth centre in Ballinrobe.
The facility, which local councillor Damian Ryan says is badly needed, will incorporate a youth information centre, games room, café and associated facilities.
Cllr Ryan, who has been involved in the project from the start, broadly welcomed the funding announcement. “In the current economic downturn it is great that the South West Mayo Development Company saw fit to grant funding for youth facilities. They are badly needed as there are no facilities for the youth in Ballinrobe at present,” he said.
The development is expected to cost a total of €200,000 with a local fundraising drive in operation to raise the remaining €50,000. A talent show at the community school last Friday night brought in much-needed funds as well as a recent church gate collection, tea dance, Foróige disco, and local donations. To date €10,000 has been raised locally and the Lake District Youth Network, which is a subcommittee of Tacu, is well on its way to having the centre open by November or December of this year.
Mary Jackson, project co-ordinator with Tacu, said it was a fantastic project which is creating great “buzz and excitement” in the area. “We’re determined to see the project through,” she told the Mayo Advertiser.
The project has also been supported by local councillors, who signed off on the lease of the Maple Hall to Tacu Family Resource Centre at their last meeting.
