Church Street centre opens in Ballyconnell

The new community meeting rooms at Church Street Ballyconnell were officially opened last Friday morning by the social inclusion officer with Cavan County Council, Emer Coveney. Speaking at the event, Ms. Coveney said it was a perfect example of partnership between community and voluntary organisations and Cavan County Council. "This project will showcase for the rest of the county exactly what can be achieved." As social inclusion officer with the Council, Ms. Coveney said she was very familiar with the entire West Cavan area and Ballyconnell in particular. "It had a higher level of disadvantage historically and traditionally. It would have been one of the worst hit areas in the county in terms of social deprivation, so an achievement like this today is all the more valuable," she noted. Ms. Coveney added that she already observed that there was a great energy about the place and a sense of community spirit and comradery. "There are lots of events going on and the VEC involvement is also fantastic and the computer room upstairs is really state-of-the-art. It is great that we in the county council have an opportunity to work with groups like yourselves and hope we can continue to do so," she said. The chairperson of Ballyconnell Town and District Development Association, Aideen Tobin, welcomed everyone to the official launch of the new Church Street centre. "Without the county council, we would not have this centre. I want to thank the County Manager Jack Keyes for making the premises available to us," she said. Ms. Tobin revealed that the main focus now is to have the Market House in Ballyconnell totally restored as a community venue, which could also house a tourist information centre. The Heritage Group have lots of interesting items, which could be placed in such a venue. The computer suite upstairs in the Church Street centre has been installed courtesy of County Cavan VEC and all the classes are going very well. Ms. Tobin particularly welcomed the fact that the VEC took the initiative to put this facility in place. Thanks was also extended to Pamela Carney, Breifne Integrated, who provided funding for furniture in the centre. Brid O'Reilly, speaking on behalf of the Active Retirement Group, said they were delighted to have the facility in place. "We are enjoying all our activities here." Seanie Cassidy from the Heritage Group thanked everyone for bringing this community project to fruition. "In recessionary times this initiative is a bright spark that has ignited a flame of activity and happiness and there is something going on here every evening. I urge people to continue using and supporting the centre. It is brilliant to see so many stands of the community coming together to make the centre come alive." Tadhg Murphy, speaking on behalf of the Drama Group, said that a facility like this is a must in every community. "It is nice to see people coming together and epitomising a sense of community, which had been lost during the Celtic tiger years." He added that they will find it invaluable as the group has been on the road for 13 years. Cllr. Damien Brady (SF) said he was delighted to see the new Church Street centre being officially opened. He wished all the groups using it the best of luck and many years of enjoyment. Cllr. Brady also thanked the County Manager Jack Keyes and the local engineer for their drive in getting the project up and running. "Hopefully within the next few years, we will see the market house developed as well." Cllr. Peter McVitty said that he contacted Jack Keyes before Christmas about this project and that a facility like this was required in the town. He thanked the council for giving the use of the building at a nominal rent and it has been refurbished in the interim, courtesy of grants from the Council. He encouraged every group to use the facility and he welcomed the representatives from the VEC. Aideen Tobin also thanked Gary McKiernan, Seamus Donohoe, Seanie Cassidy and Maura Frehill for looking after the centre on behalf of the groups. She thanked Jim Power for erecting the sign and Cathal for the decoration work and not forgetting Kennedy's for providing the celebratory cake for the event.