Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has announced the completed construction of the new Drumsurn Community Centre in County L'Derry, marking its first fully carbon net-zero building.

The project replaced the previous community centre on Beech Road, which had been unfit for purpose since 2019, with a modern modular facility designed to meet current community and environmental standards.

The construction forms part of the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme, which targets rural settlements with populations under 5,000. The project was funded jointly by the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs, the Department for Communities, the Department for Infrastructure, and Causeway Coast and Glens Council.

The new modular centre incorporates solar panels to reduce energy running costs, supporting the Council's Net Zero Carbon Emissions targets. External works include dedicated parking spaces and a connection to the nearby playpark, ensuring full accessibility for the local community.

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At the official opening, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, stated: "This new community facility will be a major boost for the village of Drumsurn. The new carbon net-zero centre is a real milestone project for our Council area and will act as the local hub for the community while also enabling the delivery of a wide variety of services under one roof. I am very grateful to the Department of Agriculture Environment & Rural Affairs, the Department for Communities and to the Department for Infrastructure for this funding and of course, to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council officers for successfully delivering this groundbreaking project."

Agriculture Environment & Rural Affairs Minister Andrew Muir highlighted the environmental focus of the development, while Communities Minister Gordon Lyons and Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins noted the improved facilities and accessibility enhancements provided by the project.

The Drumsurn scheme is one of several council projects under the funding programme, following completed works in Armoy, Cushendall, Garvagh, Mosside, Magilligan, Greysteel, Dervock, Kilrea and Rasharkin. Projects are currently underway in Bushmills, Dernaflaw and Dungiven, with completion scheduled later this year.