€500,000 sanctioned for Cong Community Centre

Cong community delighted as local centre gets substantial funding


Ciara Galvin
ciaragalvin@mayonews.ie

After a ‘long battle’ to attain funding for a community centre, the residents of Cong received good news last week with the South West Mayo Development Company approving €500,000 for the project.
Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan (pictured) gave sanction to South West Mayo Development Company last week for the construction of the state of the art centre at Gortaroe, Cong. The development will incorporate a multi-purpose hall, change rooms, meeting rooms and a gymnasium. It will also contain a senior citizen Day-Care and Youth Development room as well as a Heritage Office and Community Training and Development Facilities. Funding will be provided under the Basic Services for the Economy and Rural Population measure of the Rural Development Programme 2007-2013.
Speaking to The Mayo News Cong Community Centre committee member Gary Collins said the community centre was ‘badly needed’ and would be a great asset to the community.
“There’s no community facility in the village which makes something as simple as holding a meeting difficult. It’s been a long hard battle that started about 15 years ago but we got there.” The site at Gortroe was purchased ten years from Coillte and building is set to take place in the next three months. Mr Collins said although the project will receive a further €100,000 from Mayo County Council, fundraising will take place to make up the surplus.
“People were very doubtful about us getting the money with the times that are in it but the very strong committee kept plugging away,” explained Mr Collins.
Commenting on the sanction, Minister Michael Ring said the project will be a ‘huge benefit to the community of Cong’.
The project will now go back to the Board of South West Mayo Development Company for the final approval on the project.

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