Funding windfall for Killanena/Flagmount

THE parish of Killanena/Flagmount has received a funding boost of €230,000, which will go towards the development of a community centre.
The funding was sanctioned to Loughgraney Community Development Association this week under the Rural Development Programme for the proposed multipurpose facility, which will be located in Flagmount village.
The building will comprise a sports hall with changing rooms and toilets and it is envisaged that the hall will be suitable for social, educational/training events and a variety of indoor sports.
Speaking about the allocation, development association secretary Kathleen McNamara said the group is delighted with the news that they can now press ahead with the provision of this long awaited facility.
“We are thrilled. It is great for the Killanena/Flagmount parish and surrounding area because it will be of benefit to the whole North-East Clare area. It is something we have been trying to achieve for years and it is great to see it come to fruition at last,” she said.
Community funding is also needed as part of this development project and the association’s main fundraising event, which was well supported, was held last Sunday.
Planning permission and construction tenders are already in place and Ms McNamara expects the facility to be up and running in 2014.
“We have to first sign the contract with Clare Local Development Company and we’ll be able to move full steam ahead then to have our own community centre at last. It will be a multifunctional facility for all generations. From the time of the signing of the contract, we have 18 months to complete the works so it will be finished next year,” she said.
Also commenting on the announcement, Clare TD, Michael McNamara said, “Loughgraney Community Development Association and the people of Flagmount deserve this community centre. They have worked long and hard to energise and revitalise their area and I believe this new centre will be a focus for dynamic cultural, sporting and other community activity in the years ahead.”
He said the decision has been awaited for some time and the project is a worthy one.
“The total cost of the project is €313,156, so the grant of €230,000 will go a long way to meeting the costs but it still means Flagmount and surrounding areas have to meet the balance. Given their commitment and dedication, I have no doubt that they will rise to the challenge,” Deputy McNamara concluded.
The funding was granted under the Rural Development Programme for 2007-2013 and Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen said, this programme “is playing an important role in improving the quality of life in rural areas”.
“It is now focused on developing micro-enterprises, rural services, rural recreation and rural tourism and by focusing on these areas it is hoped that the programme will lead to sustainable development, which in turn will improve the social and economic fabric of communities like Flagmount the real beneficiaries of this,” he said.  
Ms McNamara commended the work of the 20-strong committee of Loughgraney Community Development Association and also said the association is very grateful to Clare Local Development Company which was very helpful to them throughout the process.
“I’m glad that the whole community can reap the rewards of this community work,” she concluded.