Big Day for Lámh Dhearg and Hannahstown Community
July 01, 2014
"And we now declare the park open" - Mayor of Lisburn Cllr Andrew Ewing, Chairman of Lagan Rural Partnership, Cllr Anne Marie Beattie, Gareth Evans Contract Manager for Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme, Belfast Lord Mayor Cllr Nichola Mallon and Jim McCormick Chairman Hannahstown Community Association
On Friday 27th June 2014 the final phase of village renewal was completed with the opening of Hannahstown Village square and Children's play area as a result of a productive partnership between Lámh Dhearg , Hannahstown Community Association, DARD and Belfast and Lisburn City Councils.
This Square and Play Area will provide valuable and much needed facilities for the local community and will enhance the Lámh Dhearg C.L.G. environment.
This was the final phase of our Village Renewal; which has been delivered through the Lagan Rural Partnership as part of the DARD led Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 and has been actively supported and endorsed by both Belfast and Lisburn City Councils. The Hannahstown Area has suffered from a lack of funds for many years and local representatives are delighted that both councils have backed the project and have committed a degree of match funding.
Hannahstown Village Renewal has been funded under the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2007-2013 Axes 3 & 4 by the European Union and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (£250,000, 75%) and match funded by both Belfast City Council (12.5%, including funding from the Local Investment Fund as part of the council's city-wide £150 million Investment Programme) and Lisburn City Council (12.5%). The project has been managed and delivered by Belfast City Council.
Hannahstown Village Renewal
1. New Signage on entering & leaving the village
2. Wild flower garden
3. Highway for Health including outdoor gym equipment
4. Environmental improvements within the village
5. Village Square & Children's Play Area
Speaking as Chairman of Lagan Rural Partnership, Cllr Anne Marie Beattie said 'Lagan Rural Partnership is delighted to fund this village renewal scheme and hope that the residents of Hannahstown will enjoy the benefits of all the new facilities for many years to come. I would also like to congratulate Hannahstown Community Association in adopting such a successful partnership approach with Lámh Dhearg CLG and both Lisburn and Belfast Councils in order to make this scheme happen'
Belfast Lord Mayor Nichola Mallon said: "As part of Belfast City Council's Investment Programme, we have set aside £5 million to develop and support community facilities which make a real and lasting difference to people's lives. These latest improvements are a great example of this pledge in action, bringing to almost £3 million the value of projects either completed or underway through our Local Investment Fund. From the outset, this fund has reached out to communities across the city, including those areas, like Hannahstown, which will join Belfast next year under Local Government Reform. The opening of this village square and play area will greatly enhance the development of an 'urban village' in this area, adding to the sense of community already fostered by other recent improvements."
Lámh Dhearg Chairman, Brendan Herron " The club are delighted and proud to be involved in such a successful and vibrant partnership which will benefit the local community and enhance our club environment and facilities and maybe inspire other gaa clubs to follow our example."
Hannahstown Community Association Chairman, Jim McCormick" A very proud day for Hannahstown to see our play park and village square open and a sincere thanks to all the various partners who worked very hard to earn us village status."
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