£50k helps Cullion replace 1950s heating
THE Secretary of Cullion Cultural Society Ivan Henderson says the replacement of 1950s era heating and windows in its local community hall, which has been facilitated by a £50k lottery grant, has been fantastic for local bowls, badminton and community groups.
The society is one of 22 groups in Northern Ireland awarded grants totalling almost £440,000 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Energy Efficient Venues programme.
Located in the Cullion townland between Londonderry and Strabane it was awarded a grant of £49,324 to carry out of a range of energy saving improvements to its hall so it is warmer and more inviting for the local community.
The money the group saves by making the improvements will go back into improving the activities and event they offer people in the local area and the wider community.
“We got a small grant from this Energy Efficient Venues programme earlier this year and we used it to replace the windows in the hall with double glazing,” explained secretary Ivan Henderson.
“That’s just been fantastic. You notice the heat as soon as you open the doors. It is hard to believe that a few windows could make such a difference.
“But the only heat in the hall is generated by portable gas heaters, and the wiring dates back to the 1950s. The grant will allow us to carry out draft and damp proofing throughout the building and to install new energy efficient electric heaters and lighting.
“The improvements mean we will make considerable savings and we will be able to offer more activities to the local community,” said Ivan. “We hope that we will now attract more people from the housing estate nearby as there are not a lot of community facilities in this area.”
He continued: “We currently host a badminton club, a bowls tournament and meetings of a number of community groups. The savings we make will help us ensure this hall is even more attractive to local clubs and organisations.”
Frank Hewitt, the Big Lottery Fund’s NI Chair said: “The Energy Efficient Venues programme supports community organisations to carry out energy efficiency improvements to their venues that help them make savings during this difficult period of recession, and have a positive effect on the environment.
“This has been a very popular programme and we have awarded grants to a range of organisations across Northern Ireland. Organisations should be aware that the programme is now closed for applications.”
The Energy Efficient Venues programme is closed for applications. To find about more about the programme visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk.
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Monday 20 May 2013
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