Opening of community centre in Ballykinlar

Opening of community centre in Ballykinlar

27 October 2021

BALLYKINLAR’S new community centre has been officially opened.

The Commons Road building is located at the site of the village’s former Kindle Primary School and will be a major asset for local people and community groups.

The new centre, which was previously used to house former Down Council building control staff at the Strangford Road in Downpatrick, was relocated to Ballykinlar with community representatives delighted that is is now open for use.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairwoman Cathy Mason officially opened the new building and was joined by local authority officials, councillors and community representatives.

Members of the Ballykinlar and Tyrella Community Association, who worked with Slieve Croob councillors and the local authority to bring the facility to life, say they are delighted that the centre is now available for use.

The local authority purchased the former primary school for the project and installed a prefabricated building, which consists of a large recreational space, smaller meeting room and kitchen and toilet facilities. 

Officials say that the new centre will allow a wide range of community services to be delivered in the Ballykinlar, Tyrella and surrounding area and, most importantly, contribute to improvements in health and well-being in the area.

Ballykinlar and Tyrella Community Association chairman, Mr Nial Addis, said there was a long-term commitment involved in bringing the project to fruition and paid tribute to the group’s volunteers who were the driving force for the development of the new centre.

He added “This is the beginning of a new era for the community of Ballykinlar and Tyrella. We now have excellent facilities on our doorstep that will be of benefit to all.”

Cllr Mason said the development of the new centre will create new opportunities for the people of Ballykinlar, Tyrella and surrounding areas. 

She continued: “One of the council’s key aims is to provide high quality community facilities and to explore partnership opportunities to ensure sustainability of community services. 

“It also aims to build community capacity to empower local people to effect change within their communities, and this beautiful building is an excellent example of partnership working between statutory and voluntary groups.”

Downpatrick area councillor, Dermot Curran, who played a key role to persuade the council to move its former building control headquarters in Downpatrick to Ballykinlar to provide the new centre, is delighted that it has been officially open.

“The centre is located in an ideal site at the Commons Road and will be a major asset for the people in the village. The new centre has taken a long time to deliver and the perseverance and determination of local people and the Ballykinlar and Tyrella Community Association has paid off,” he said.

“I am particularly pleased for Mr Addis who invested so much time and energy in this particular project. His hard work and that of others has been rewarded and he deserves thanks.”

Cllr Curran said he has no doubt that the community centre will be a very widely used facility and will be able to accommodate the needs of a wide range of users.