Lottery cash to help Moneyglass Community Centre
A LOCAL community organisation will be able to carry out energy saving improvements to its venue and save money during the recession thanks to a grants windfall from the Big Lottery Fund.
Moneyglass Community Centre has been awarded a grant of £46,562 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Energy Efficient Venues programme.
The programme, which is now closed for applications, offers Lottery cash to local groups to carry out improvements to their community venues so they make savings on their heating and lighting costs and cut down on their spending.
The centre is a focal point of for the surrounding rural community and is open seven nights a week for a wide range of activities including Youth Club, Drama Club, Karate Club, Irish dancing, Yoga, Senior Citizens club, football and keep fit.
But Chairman Gerard McStocker explained that years of running activities in the venue had taken their toll and improvements are much needed.
“The community centre is 45-years-old now and there has been no major refurbishment since it was originally built,” he said.
hE ADDED: “The grant will mean we can fit a new condensing boiler, radiators, zoned heating controls, floor and roof insulation, energy efficient lighting and solar thermal panels which will provide constant hot water.
“At present our water has been heated using a large old immersion heater which is very costly in electricity.
“The centre will now be a lot more energy efficient and we estimate our running costs will be cut by at least 35-40 per cent. We also like the fact that these energy efficient improvements and the harnessing of some green energy will be helping to protect the environment for years and generations to come.
“We are over the moon about this grant as the work is badly needed and all the organisations which use our centre will benefit greatly.”
Frank Hewitt, the Big Lottery Fund’s NI Chair, said: “The Energy Efficient Venues programme supports community organisations to carry out energy efficiency improvements to their venues that help them make savings during this difficult period of recession, and have a positive effect on the environment.”
He added: “This has been a very popular programme and we have awarded grants to a range of organisations across Northern Ireland. Organisations should be aware that the programme is now closed for applications.”
The Energy Efficient Venues programme is closed for applications. To find about more about the programme visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
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Weather for Antrim
Wednesday 22 May 2013
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