Council Chairperson Opens New Community Centre at Ballykinlar

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Cathy Mason has officially opened the new Ballykinlar Community Centre. The recent event was attended by Councillors, Council officials and local community representatives.

Members of the Ballykinlar and Tyrella Community Association worked with Slieve Croob District Electoral Area Councillors and the Council to help bring this important new facility to life. The Council purchased the land of the former Kindle 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. The new centre will allow a wide range of community services to be delivered in the Ballykinlar, Tyrella community and surrounding area and, most importantly, contribute to improvements in health and wellbeing.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Cathy Mason said, “The development of this new centre will create new opportunities for the people of Ballykinlar, Tyrella and surrounding areas.

“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.”

The new centre will be managed by Ballykinlar and Tyrella Community Association through a Facility Management Agreement with the Council. Niall Addis, Chairperson of the Community Association, noted the long-term commitment involved in bringing the project to fruition. “I must pay tribute to the volunteers of the association who were the driving force for the development of this new community centre,” he said.

Mr Addis 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.”