Rowallane’s Community Hub opened after £250k investment

Rowallane’s Community Hub opened after £250k investment

8 April 2015

ROWALLANE Community Hub has been officially opened in Saintfield.

After a £250,000 investment, the community hall and allotments are now a multi-use space available to all residents of the wider Saintfield area.

Two derelict barns and a yard to the rear of 35 Main Street were converted in the major development after Rowallane Community Hub Ltd (RCH) was first set up in 2011.

As a charity, RCH aims to become a sustainable social enterprise which contributes to the community in terms of job creation, eco-education and shared community space.

As well as their own substantial investment, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (DARD) Rural Development Programme’s £250,000 helped make the project a reality.

Speaking at the recent official opening, David Small, Deputy Secretary of DARD, congratulated all involved in the completion of the project.

“I know that you have made a significant investment in this project in a time of difficult economic circumstances and I wish to commend you for that,” he said. “The Rural Development Programme funding of £250,000, available from DARD and delivered through Down Rural Area Partnership Local Action Group and Joint Council Committee, has been an important resource in bringing this project to fruition and I am delighted that you have been able to avail of this funding opportunity.” 

David Kerr, Vice-Chair of the Down Rural Area Partnership Local Action Group, councillor William Walker, and Jim Shannon MP also spoke at the event and congratulated RCH on their community focused eco friendly enterprise. 

RCH is also appealing to the local community for help in running this new enterprise. Voluntary Allotment Gardeners, Hub Operators and Hub Directors are required to achieve its full potential.