The success of the £4.2 million Rural Halls Refurbishment Scheme has been celebrated during recent ministerial visits.

Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots MLA toured some of the rural halls which benefitted from the scheme.

The scheme aims to keep community facilities viable and to support existing rural organisations to remain sustainable and identify new volunteers. Approximately £3.7m will fund the capital works with the balance of funding allocated to the delivery of the mandatory 'Managing Your Space' training programme.

Speaking at St Colman's Parish Hall in Ardboe following his tour, Minister Poots said: "It's great to see today how £2.4m from the Rural Halls Refurbishment Scheme is already benefitting 70 rural community and voluntary organisations and a further 38 Letters of Offer will soon issue for the remaining value of £1.3m. Community halls play a vital role in underpinning local community life, enabling activities to prevent loneliness among people in rural areas and creating stronger more connected communities. Rural Community Groups played a key role in responding to Covid, with much of this work being co-ordinated from community halls. I am pleased to be able to support our rural communities through this scheme. On my recent visits I can see the huge difference my Department's investment has made to transform these local facilities in rural communities."

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Minister Poots continued: "This scheme has provided the financial assistance necessary to help local voluntary and community organisations fund much needed refurbishment works to rural halls, to help keep community facilities viable. These halls will play a key role in tackling isolation and loneliness issues in the time ahead. I will do what I can to ensure that rural life is sustained and grows from strength to strength and am proud of the Rural Halls Refurbishment Scheme success story so far."

The Minister also visited Glenageeragh LOL 908 in Augher; Kilnaslee Community Development Group in Donaghmore; and Dromara Village Football Club to view their completed works and attended an event to promote the refurbished works at the hall managed by Annahinchago Rural Development Association in Ballyward, Castlewellan.