Refurbished YMCA officially opened

The official duties fell to Education Minister Caitrona Ruane.

The project has transformed a previously redundant area of the premises into office space, meeting rooms, toilet and kitchen facilities and added disabled access. The Department of Education provided 75 per cent of the funding and Department for Social Development the remaining 25 per cent.

Speaking as she performed the ribbon-cutting, Minister Ruane said: “The YMCA has been providing a vital service in Derry for over 150 years and has a strong track record in reaching out to disaffected and disadvantaged young people in the city.

“I strongly believe that all young people should have the opportunity to meet, have fun and enjoy sport and exercise in an informal setting.

“This is why my Department has invested almost 17million across the north of Ireland in youth service capital schemes such as this over the last three years.

“I am very pleased to open these upgraded facilities which are a symbol of the community, parents and education working together to help young people. I pay tribute to all the staff and everyone connected with the organisation for the time, effort and commitment they put into helping young people in the area and wish them every success for the future.”

Social Development Minister Alex Attwood, who was also in attendance, said: “This is good news for the people of Drumahoe and the surrounding area. The upgrade to the YMCA complex will provide an enhanced facility for the local community, in particular young people.

“I want to target resources in a way which has maximum impact and I want to work with communities to achieve that.

“The Neighbourhood Renewal process seeks to engage all sections of the community. It provides people in disadvantaged areas the infrastructure, skills, and support that will enable them to improve their quality of life and prospects for the future.

“Neighbourhood Renewal is an essential strategy going forward. Addressing disadvantage should be the mark of our government and our budget.”