Community centre transformation for Ballykinlar school

Community centre transformation for Ballykinlar school

12 September 2012

DOWN Council is hoping to acquire the former Kindle Primary School in Ballykinlar to provide a new community facility.

Support to continue discussions with the South Eastern Education and Library Board about acquiring the building which is currently for sale came at Monday night’s meeting of the local authority.

But politicians have warned that it’s still early days and that a lot of hard work and negotiating lies ahead to provide the village with a much-needed new hub.

Down Council is keen to develop community facilities in Ballykinlar, while education officials want to develop youth facilities in the village and politicians hope the aspirations of both organisations can be realised at the Commons Road site.

There was across-the-board political support for a motion proposed by Councillor Dermot Curran urging the local authority to continue dialogue with the South Eastern Board.

The empty school has become a magnet for anti-social behaviour in the village and it emerged on Monday night that the cost of refurbishing the building in 2010 was estimated in the region of £200,000.

Politicians are also keen to hear from members of the Ballykinlar and Tyrella Community Association about what role they can play to help acquire the site and secure funding.

Councillor Curran said there was a “clear willingness” from the Education Board and the local community group to provide a new hub in the centre of Ballykinlar at the former school site.

“We can and need to move forward in partnership on this issue. Ballykinlar is a deprived area and that’s something we all recognise. There have been various meetings over the years about providing new community facilities in the village and I believe that this can be achieved,” he continued.

“People in Ballykinlar are ratepayers and they are looking to this council for help and support. We owe it to them to do all we can to acquire a building which would provide a much-needed community facility.”

Councillor Stephen Burns said he supported the sentiment of the motion but highlighted the need for clarity around a number of important issues, including the cost of refurbishing the building alongside staffing and security costs.

Councillor Gareth Sharvin said the provision of a new community base in Ballykinlar would provide a key service which local people are missing and a “facility for unity and greater community purpose,” while Councillor Patsy Toman said acquiring the former school would address the anti-social behaviour problems it has experienced since closing.

Councillor Willie Clarke warned against raising expectations and suggested continued talks about acquiring the Commons Road site could also look at attracting other potential tenants.

“There is a great need to accommodate all the various groups in the village and we all want to see the people in Ballykinlar get what they deserve,” he added.

Council chairman Mickey Coogan encouraged further talks and emphasised the need to prepare a robust business case which did not solely rely on the commitment of the South Eastern Board.