The community of Straide has launched an ambitious project to upgrade a local hall into a modern community centre with a €200,000 revamp. Straide Community Development Group (SCDG ) is now hoping to fundraise €25,000 locally to get the project under way.
A five-year Community Futures Plan for Straide for the period of 2014 to 2019 highlighted the need to upgrade the local hall to create a comfortable, fit-for-purpose, community centre. The plan outlined the need for a venue capable of holding events and activities for people of all ages and interests, creating a new space that would be a focal point for the community.
Plans have been drawn up for upgraded insulation and heating systems, upgraded toilets and kitchen areas, and a secure viewing balcony. Straide Community Development Group has secured a lease on the hall.
The project will cost in the region of €200,000 and the community is applying for funding to LEADER, a programme which provides a mix of national and EU funding to support projects in rural areas. SCDG will also need to raise €25,000 locally to secure the LEADER funding.
Derek Murphy, chairperson of SCDG, said: "An exciting fundraising project is now under way and represents the biggest community fundraising project in the village for some years. People living in Straide or connected to Straide are being invited to have their names included on the Davitt Memorial Community Hall Donor Wall, which will take pride of place in the newly refurbished hall. Straide Community Development Group is inviting every household in Straide to ensure their name is recorded in the history of the village for generations to come. For those living abroad or outside of the area, this is also opportunity to connect in a special way with home or a place they love and have their name included. It is also an opportunity to remember a loved one.”
A donation of €50 secures 30 characters on the wall with each additional space costing €2. Further information is available by email from [email protected] or on Facebook @straidecommunity.
