New community centre underway in Ballykinlar

New community centre underway in Ballykinlar

15 May 2019

WORK is at last underway to provide a new community facility in Ballykinlar.

Contractors working on behalf of Newry, Mourne and Down Council last week relocated  a building formerly used by the Fire and Rescue Service 

in Downpatrick to the former Kindle Primary School site in the village.

The single storey prefabricated building — which has been relocated to the Commons Road — was previously based at Down Council’s former headquarters at the Strangford Road in Downpatrick.

There has been a major campaign for a new community facility in Ballykinlar which has missed out on significant local authority investment over many years.

Council officials have taken over the Commons Road site from the Education Authority and work started last week to dismantle the building which was loaded onto a lorry for transport to the village.

The Ballykinlar and Tyrella Community Association has been working alongside the County Down Rural Community Network on developing a range of new activities in Ballykinlar and is keen to see a new community hub in position.

It is understood that the prefabricated structure —  which contains toilets, a kitchen and large meeting spaces — requires some internal modifications to make it suitable for community use with this work expected to be completed shortly.

Downpatrick area councillor Dermot Curran, who has been working with community officials in Ballykinlar to secure new facilities, is pleased the building has been moved to the village.

“It has taken considerably longer for this to happen than I and people in Ballykinlar and Tyrella anticipated,” he said. “The building was moved 

last week and I hope the work that is required to make it suitable for community use will be completed as soon as possible.”

Cllr Curran said community officials Ballykinlar will be delighted that the building is now in place at the former primary school site.

“It is my understanding that the new facility will be able to cater for a wide range of village interests and needs which is particularly important. Providing the people of Ballykinlar and Tyrella with a dedicated community facility is long overdue,” he continued.

“It certainly has taken longer than expected to reach this point, but progress has been made. It is now important that every effort is made to ensure the building is fit for purpose”.

Cllr Curran said providing a new community facility signalled Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s commitment to the people who live in Ballykinlar and Tyrella.

“The building will be at the heart of community life and able to accommodate a number of community activities which is important. Those who campaigned for this facility to be provided deserve credit and I have no doubt that this new centre will be well used,” he continued.

Cllr Curran added: “While the building is a prefabricated structure, it will help meet a pressing need and I hope that council officials will be mindful of this fact. It is also important that officials do not deflect their focus from Ballykinlar and work to provide a permanent community facility for the people of Ballykinlar and Tyrella.”