€200,000 BOOST FOR BALLYMITTY
Ballymitty will have a community and enterprise centre next year after €200,000 in Town & Village Renewal funding was announced for the village, the highest possible sum that is awarded under the scheme.
The funding is to assist the local committee with the construction of a new multi-functional community centre in Ballymitty that will support community activities and social enterprise with facilities that include a digital hub, performance venue, community café and shop.
The new community centre has been planned since 2014.
Sinead O’Sullivan of Ballymitty Community Committee said: ‘We had our fingers crossed. We thought we had a good application and we got the maximum amount. This is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.’
A space that the community have waited a long time for, Ms O’Sullivan said: ‘This funding is a game changer in moving the development of the new community centre to the next stage being construction. It is a much needed boost to the committee and the people of Ballymitty after a very difficult year for everyone in 2020. We would envisage construction commencing in summer 2021 allowing for delays due to Covid-19 restrictions.’
Ballymitty Hall Committee was established November 2013 and quickly set about developing a plan for the hall.
‘We currently have a hall which is over 100 years old. It’s not fit for purpose and is landlocked so we had to start from scratch.’
The committee secured a 3 and a half ac site from the Diocese of Ferns on a 20 year lease.
‘We are classified as a disadvantaged area because we have an older population and a lot of unemployment. Geographically we are caught between two areas. We were formerly in the New Ross district and now we’re in the Rosslare district.’
She said the community centre will be a focal point for people of all ages.
A five year development plan is being worked on.
Community gardens and a walking trail being considered.
The current parish hall in Ballymitty was built in circa 1919.
‘While it is a much-loved building with a special place in the heart of the community, it is a corrugated-iron and timber building no longer fit for purpose. A survey was carried out in March 2014 and it was established that the community wished for a new hall to be built to meet the needs of the people.’
The plan for the new 384sqm hall was progressed by the committee with the following completed milestones: the design of a building completed with architect Brian O’Driscoll of O’Driscoll Lynn Architects, planning permission approved by Wexford County Council in April 2018.
Fundraising is now at €130,000 for the €650,000 project with the support of the community from various fundraising initiatives e.g., a monthly Sunday Café, Weekly Drive-in Bingo, Arts and crafts classes/market, auctions, table quizzes etc. A site has been secured and the centre will be built on Parish land located opposite St Joseph’s Nation.
‘The new centre will be in the heart of the village, situated opposite the national school and autism unit and adjacent to two housing estates, the church, playschool, handball alley and numerous local businesses. The building of a new Community Centre will be a visible beating heart in the village of Ballymitty and breathe new life into this rural community.’
The project will make a positive impact through delivering a community café which will help combat rural isolation; a digital hub to address the high levels of unemployment through providing access to training and digital technology.
The Community Shop will display and sell arts, crafts and artisan food products.
Ms O’Sullivan said: ‘This will provide a new revenue stream for local businesses and be of great economic benefit to local artists and crafts people.’
Many local youths are part of music groups, bands and teach music and they will all benefit from facilities for concerts and events in the performance area.
‘The vision to build a new community centre and facilities has received amazing support from the community. We propose to utilise the various skills and talents in the community to move the project forward. Using local knowledge in green energy, digital training, engineering, construction etc. we will ensure that an exemplary community resource will be constructed in Ballymitty. This will be instrumental in supporting the regeneration of this rural area.’
Work on the fantastic state-of-the-art building will begin later this year.
Ballymitty Hall Committee thanked Wexford County Council, Verona Murphy TD, county councillors from the Rosslare Municipal District with special mention to Cllr Frank Staples, and the people of Ballymitty and surrounding community for their support and assistance with their application.