Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie has commended the work of Ballyclare Community Concerns as she officially unveiled their new premises today.

Foundry House, a state-of-the-art building on the Doagh Road, provides 700 square metres of office, retail and community space and is a replacement for the temporary building from which the organisation had previously operated. One of a number of founders, the Department for Social Development (DSD) provided almost £300,000 towards the overall cost of the project through the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.

The Minister said: "Ballyclare Community Concerns have made an invaluable contribution to the local community over the past 16 years. Already, people can avail of advice services, youth facilities, lunch club and a Credit Union to name just a few. This wonderful new building will allow them to expand the range of services they provide.

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"The successful letting of the office and retail space also has the potential to create new jobs for area which is vitally important. The Foundry House project is pivotal to the further economic regeneration of Ballyclare and hopefully will act as a lever for further development and investment."

Newtownabbey Borough Council provided £100,000 to the scheme. Alderman Nigel Hamilton, Mayor of Newtownabbey commented: "Newtownabbey Borough Council is delighted to see this important project realised. It is no small part an achievement made possible through the 50 per cent funding from the European Union’s Building Sustainable Prosperity Programme.

"The building will provide an essential asset as a community facility, given its location and design. It provides a much needed and sustainable opportunity as an attracter of commercial enterprise in Ballyclare. Newtownabbey Borough Council recognises the importance of social economy to a project of this nature and we believe Ballyclare Community Concerns will be well placed to attract this aspect of growth to this fine building."

(JM)