Major Ballina project to proceed as funding is approved
Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys is pictured at Belleek Woods in Ballina last Saturday afternoon with local politicians and members of Ballina Scouts Group as she announced that funding of €1.15m is to be made available for a new Den and Community Centre. Picture: Conor McKeown
It was a landmark weekend for the scouting movement in Ballina as the local 5th Mayo Scouts were awarded €1.15 million towards the development of a new Den and Community Centre.
Planning permission for the facility, which will be located in Belleek, has already been granted. The funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development is the single biggest investment in the 60-year history of the Ballina Scouts group. Minister Heather Humphreys was in Ballina on Saturday to make the announcement and was joined by local Ministers of State Dara Calleary and Alan Dillon.
“This is very welcome news and a very welcome investment in Ballina," said Minister Calleary. "I have been working with Ballina Scouts for a number of months in relation to the application, and as a former member of the Troop, I am particularly pleased to be able to deliver this substantial investment in their future.
"I want to thank the Skippers who have worked so hard over so many years to keep the Troop alive in Ballina and to drive this ambitious project forward, the Scouts themselves and their parents who have spearheaded the fundraising drive and all who have helped in any way to get the proposed project to this stage. I really am delighted to have been able to match their ambition with this level of grant funding.
"I am looking forward to the construction of a state-of-the-art Den that will serve the community of Ballina in the years ahead."
Minister of State Alan Dillon said the news would be warmly welcomed by Ballina Scouts, who "currently operate from a deteriorated building on Teeling St in Ballina".
‘It will allow them to progress with their new centre at a green field site in Belleek, Ballina, which is adjacent to the woods. The site was generously provided by Ballina Municipal District where planning permission has since been granted for the proposed development while the engineering services were sponsored by The Maloney Group.”
Deputy Michael Ring also welcomed the news.
“This is a wonderful proposal which will see a new Community Centre up and active and open to other community groups also”.
