Work to start on Hillhall project

MEMBERS of Lisburn City Council have joined residents of Hillhall at the sod cutting for the area’s new community facility.

Also present were representatives from Co-operation Ireland, the Housing Executive, the local MP and a number of MLAs.

The Deputy Mayor, Alderman William Leathem, said he was delighted to be present to represent the Council and ‘celebrate the fantastic achievement of the local Hillhall community in securing both funding and a location for its new community facility’.

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Councillor Thomas Beckett, Chairman of the Leisure Services Committee, said: “Through the Council’s Leisure Services Department £125,000 funding has been provided for this significant project that will enhance the lives of the young people in the Hillhall community.”

The American Ireland Fund through Co-operation Ireland provided £60,000 funding to the project and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive provided the site for the new facility.

Alderman Paul Porter added: “I have been working with the local community on this project for the past five years and I am very pleased to be part of this notable day when the commencement of works was marked. It was with great pleasure that I cut the first sod. Within the Hillhall area there is a strong sense of community ownership and the residents are very keen to have a say in what happens in their locality.

“Community facilities provide an excellent opportunity for individuals and families to meet and communicate with each other, interact with others and break down barriers. When completed this will be able to accommodate a varied range of services such as counselling, debt advice, and community learning.

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“Over recent years the young people of Hillhall have been working as part of cross-community projects and when finished this community facility will provide a venue for such projects to meet in the future.”

Work on the new facility will commence at the start of June.

Mr Edward Mullen, Chairman of the Hillhall Community Association, thanked the funding organisations, Lisburn City Council and the American Ireland Fund, and the Housing Executive for making the land available.

“It is great news that Lisburn Community Self-Build won the contract to build the community facility as it will involve the young people of Hillhall in the project; and will reinvest any profit back into the community through education and training. On behalf of the Hillhall community I would like to thank all the hard working political representatives who have supported us in our objective to provide a community shared space for everyone.

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“In particular I would like to make a specific thank you to Alderman Paul Porter who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes in helping to secure this community project for Hillhall and this is why the community thought it was appropriate for him to cut the first sod. I am looking forward to seeing the residents of Hillhall use the community facility when it is completed by the end of this year.”

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