This article is from page 28 of the 2007-06-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 28 JPG
NEWS that a €30,000 grant has been allocated to help refurbish a GAA building which can then be used by community groups has been warmly welcomed in Killaloe.
Last week, outgoing Environment Munister, Dick Roche announced al- locations of grants under the Social and Community Facilities scheme.
The project to refurbish and im- prove the building on the GAA erounds was granted €30,000 under the scheme.
Other Clare projects which got matching funding were the Shan- non Community Leisure Centre, the respite services for the elderly run by the support group for Raheen Hospi-
tal, Kilfenora Community Hall and the Cooraclare Community Grave- yard.
The money will help provide new windows, plastering, a heating sys- tem and a new kitchen for the build- ing, which will be used by the GAA but which will now also be available for community groups and local meetings.
The club chairman, Naoise Lawlor, said they are “absolutely delighted” with the allocation.
“We had already made a start be- cause we were fund-raising ourselves but this will be a big help. It’s the first time anyone has come forward with this level of financial help.”
The aim of the project is to make the space comfortable for commu-
nity use and this involves putting in a new kitchen, a heating system, plumbing, rewiring, new windows and a total redecoration job.
“There’s a fair bit of work involved. Apart from just doing up the build- ing, you have to provide car parking and public lighting. There’s more involved than you might think. Until now, what we did was to raise some money and get a bit done the wait un- til we had a bit more raised to carry on,” he said.
Naoise said he wants to extend the thanks of all involved in the club to local councillor, Tony O’Brien.
‘He pushed hard for us to get this erant and he’s been very supportive of us. We’re very grateful to him,” the chairman said.
Cllr O’Brien said that he is very pleased that the money has been al- located to the project. “The people involved are putting a huge effort in themselves. And this will be a facility for the whole community Where meetings and activities can take place. We had the application in for the last few months and I’m very pleased it was granted. It’s a project that will make a difference to a lot of voluntary groups in Killaloe,’ he said.