A COMMUNITY centre in Cork known affectionately as “the hut” has been officially opened following a €1.4 million facelift which took six years of planning.
A state-of-the-art building, the Churchfield Gurranebraher Youth and Community Resource Centre was officially opened at the weekend in Cork by Lord Mayor Dara Murphy. Bishop John Buckley and Bishop Paul Colton formally blessed the building.
Lorraine O’Sullivan, chairwoman of the board of management, said the centre was a vital resource for members of the community.
“The centre is welcomed by the local community, especially the many groups who will be using the centre. Already we have dancing, bowling, bingo, education courses, computer courses, keep fit, sewing and a myriad of activities for young people. We are looking forward to developing many more activities.”
The new community resource centre has been in planning since March 2003 when local residents came together with city council to look at the future of the building.
Local groups accessed funding through the Rapid (Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development) scheme along with €745,000 from Cork City Council and €120,000 from the HSE. Total investment of €1.4 million was secured for the building, which is architecturally designed and was completed in July 2008.
The Rapid programme is a Government initiative that targets 45 of the most disadvantaged areas in the country.