The NI Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has announced funding of £140,000 to improve two community premises in Brownlow, Lurgan.

The grant, from the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund, will help refurbish Drumellan Children and Young People’s Centre and Enniskeen Community House.

The work, which will be managed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, includes:

internal refurbishment of both premises, a small extension to the Drumellan Centre together with alterations to the interior layout and improved accessibility for people with disabilities.

Minister McCausland said: "This is great news for the residents of the Drumellan and Enniskeen estates. The Drumellan Community Association and the Enniskeen Social and Environmental Regeneration Group have made a major contribution to the Brownlow area providing a range of services and activities for people of all ages in this area. However, their premises are in need of improvement in order to provide the best services to as many people as possible within the community. This refurbishment work will provide both groups with modern facilities and enable them to extend the activity programmes already available to improve social, educational and economic skills for a greater number of local residents."

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The local community has been actively involved in the development of both projects through the Brownlow Neighbourhood Partnership, who identified the need for the improvement works in its Vision Framework and Action Plan for regenerating the area.

Mr McCausland said: "One of the key factors in successfully tackling deprivation and assisting regeneration is through a partnership approach involving the public, private and community sectors. This project is an excellent example of how a statutory body working with community representatives can deliver real benefits for their local communities. I look forward to visiting both centres when the refurbishment works are complete."

(CD)