Huntstown Centre extension launched

The great and the good were all in attendance last week as the new extension to Huntstown Community Centre was officially opened by Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan.

Members of the centre’s board of management, the Council, local clergy, Co. Dublin VEC, youth workers and those who use the facility on a regular basis were all represented as three years of concerted effort came to fruition. The extension includes a boardroom, a youth officer’s facility, three meeting rooms and a crèche manager’s office.

For centre manager Tom Halligan, it was one of his last official functions before he relinquishes the reins next month and it was also an emotional occasion for chairperson Linda Sylvester, who was unable to speak due to laryngitis.

Built by prisoners on day release in 2001, the centre is used by a large number of youth groups in the area, though by 2005 it had become clear that there was a need for additional facilities. “The youth worker could not address all of the demands due to lack of space,” explained Moira Savage, on behalf of Ms. Sylvester. “We also felt that more room was needed for the crèche facility so that the childcare project could extend its remit to a full day service.

“We are now looking to the future. With the additional space, the board of management is now going to develop a work plan for 2008-2011, so that groups that have not been targetted to date can be supported.”

Senan Turnbull, representing Fingal County Council, said that one of his first projects on joining the Council in 2001 was to oversee the development of the original hall. “And I am delighted to come back here and see how much the facility has meant to the local community,” he said. “It is the Council’s job to support, advise and guide and we wish all the volunteers and user-groups well.”

Funding for the project was sought from and given by the Youth Project facilities and services fund (€90k), Fingal County Council (€110K) and the Department of the Environment (€235K)

“It is good to see things happening structurally with the Centre,” said Mr. Lenihan, who has been known to discuss politics with some of the youth groups there, “but it is even more important to see the good things that are happening in the Centre. Great credit is due to the management committee in this regard.

“Even before the recent influx into Dublin 15, the area always had a large proportion of migrant workers and it was therefore difficult to build a community under those circumstances. But just as Huntstown doesn’t stand still, so the management committee has recognised that change is vital and I commend them for their efforts in making this centre the important hub that it is today,” he said.

 

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