Press Statement - 29th November 2010
LAUNCH OF FOUNDER MEMBERS CLUB IN AID OF THE KINAWLEY COMMUNITY HALL BUILDING FUND
The Founder Members Club is the key voluntary community-based fund-raising initiative in the overall funding plan for the project and is targeted at generating approximately £200,000 in local community support over the period of the build. By joining the Founder Members Club, supporters will secure their name as a founder member of the facility for posterity on an engraved stone within the complex. It is a unique way to support this exciting initiative and to share in the cross community spirit that is driving the project onwards in Kinawley. The founder member engravings will be a permanent record for generations to come of those individuals and families who supported the effort to create the hall. A detailed historical record of each stage of the development of the project with all contributors listed will also be maintained in a glass cabinet for reference in generations to come.
To date, funding of £350,000 has been secured with other initiatives currently in train which are expected to realise an additional £150,000 for the project. This coupled with the funds generated from Founder Members Club contributions will ensure the project will become a reality. The project is expected to begin construction in April 2011 and the hall will be open for Christmas 2012. The project is one of the biggest ever undertaken in the Kinawley area and will have a major positive impact on the social fabric of the village both during the construction phase and as a focal point for a whole series of community integration activities once complete.
As a direct result of support already committed, the people of Kinawley have a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in and be proud of the new hall. It will be a very special and much needed cross-community focal point which will be hugely important for generations to come.
The launch on Monday night was attended by representatives of all the community groups, schools, local business and church leaders as well as representatives of each of the voluntary and charitable organisations that will utilise the facility when complete, and who have already given their support to it. Representatives from each of the funding groups who have generously supported the project by way of matched funding commitments were also in attendance on Monday evening and were able to see first-hand the plans that are underway and speak with the community groups who will avail of the completed facility. The largest contributor to the project is the SWARD Rural Development Programme and the Vice-Chair of the Programme; Cllr Alex Baird was on hand to give his support as well.
The Association would like to thank all who have helped get the project to this stage and would now like to encourage all the community to give their much needed financial support to get the project to the build stage.
Commenting at the launch the Chairman of Kinawley Community Hall Association Kevin Lunney said;
“The desire to create a community focal point in the village has been around for a long time. The motivation of this Association and the support of all sections of the local community to realise the project now means that it is now becoming a reality. Our Association has drawn membership from right across the community and we can be justly proud of how far we have come. We are extremely pleased with the financial support and commitment we have received from the funding bodies and are now confident that we can make the project a reality.
On behalf of the Association I would like to thank all of the Councillors and political representatives, Church representatives and funding bodies for their attendance here this evening. Your continued support here gives us even greater encouragement as we move into the next stage of the project. I would also like to thank all the members of the Association who have worked tirelessly to get to this point as well as those who have generously given us financial support already.”
Ends
Notes:
The Kinawley Community Hall Association is a voluntary organization with 22 members from the Kinawley area who are overseeing the development of the new hall in the village. The Association is a registered charity and is a fully cross-community organisation.
Planning Permission for a 700m2 facility has been secured and detailed design is currently underway with build contracts expected to be issued in April 2011. The hall will include a 336m2 main sports hall with additional stage and meeting rooms. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2012, subject to final funding being in place.
The overall project is budgeted at £700,000 including site acquisition and fit-out costs. The main financial supporters of the project to date include; SWARD Rural Development Programme, Fermanagh District Council, St Naile’s Church, the Big Lottery Fund, The Quinn Group, Kinawley GAA Club as well as a number of local private donations already made.
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