Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has officially opened Gardeners Hall in Dungannon.

The Gardeners Hall building dates back to the mid 1800s when it was commissioned by Lord Ranfurly as a Free Gardener Lodge for a society of Victorian gardeners. The hall had fallen into dereliction in recent years and the restoration and refurbishment project by the Council has brought it back to its former glory.

Minister McCausland said: "I have been very impressed by the work done at Gardeners Hall, in particular the Milltown Superadults Club. Their senior citizen programme offers older people a range of activities and the chance to interact with others outside their daily lives and make new friends. I welcome this opportunity today to visit Gardeners Hall and hear at first hand the difference this project has made to the local community.

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"The Northern Ireland Executive, through my Department, has been able to provide £196,000 towards helping Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council refurbish this historic building. Both the Council and the Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership are to be congratulated on their hard work and success.

"Projects like this one at Gardener’s Hall make an important difference to transform the lives of local communities that have suffered from years of social deprivation. To date, the Dungannon area has benefited from over £2.4million of Neighbourhood Renewal funding. Only through investing time and money in these areas can we ensure that everyone, regardless of background, is given the opportunity to achieve their full potential."

(CD/IT)