Sandra Duffy welcomes moves to refurbish Culmore’s Victoria Hall
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is to award £250,000 of funding towards the project.
She said: “In recent months the Culmore Community Partnership (CCP)has been developing a proposal for the refurbishment of the vacant Victoria Hall in Culmore.
“A concerted effort has been made to secure the necessary funding to bring the hall back into use as a meaningful community hub which would seek to provide much needed services in an area that has historically been lacking in facilities and amenities.
“Sinn Féin has given broad support to this and other initiatives in the Greater Culmore area and therefore I am very pleased to welcome the decision by Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to award Culmore Community Partnership £250,000 towards the refurbishment initiative.
“This decision, coming after a significant match funding contribution from the owners of the hall, the Honourable the Irish Society, is a statement of confidence and support for the work of CCP.
“I am aware that much more needs to be done in terms of wider provision within Culmore but I am absolutely delighted that this important building block has now been put in place which will enable CCP to proceed with their wider vision for the area.”
Cllr Duffy added that the Victoria Hall project is only part of a wider strategic plan for the area which will also see the complete development of Culmore Country Park.
“There is a clear distinction between the proposed developments,” she said.
“While the Victoria Hall development will create a community services hub, the proposed development at the country park will create recreation and sports provision for the entire Culmore area.
“It will include a new community centre alongside soccer and Gaelic pitches, and a state of the art playground for local children.
“Whilst these plans require further consultation I am certain that the local community will warmly welcome the complete development of the country park.
“With the positive decision by DAERA to make such an important contribution to the refurbishment of Victoria Hall, I am confident that the additional support needed for this project will be forthcoming and the refurbishment and modernisation of this landmark building will begin shortly.”
