Big plans in the pipeline at Hillview Community Centre
WORKS ON A COMMUNITY FIELD AND A COMMUNITY GARDEN ARE ONGOING WHILE THE CENTRE, RUN BY THE BBH GROUP, HOSTS DAILY ACTIVITIES AND CLUBS, WRITES MYLES BUCHANAN
THE BBH Group (Ballyguile, Broadlough View and Hillview Estates) have big plans for the Hillview Community Centre.
The voluntary committee manages the centre for the benefit of those living in the area and from elsewhere and the it hosts everything from knitting and stitching classes to parent and toddler groups. However, the BBH Group’s main focus of attention over the coming months will be a new community field and garden.
Lauren Keogh said the project is already generating a lot of excitement locally.
‘The kids removed any debris and we are getting it mowed down. The plan is to have a community pitch for the kids to go. Something like 14 of the 16 St Pat’s hurlers for the Under-16s are from the area so the pitch would be something that would get loads of use.
‘The residents are coming on board to make the pitch their own. The kids have really got behind the project and there is as lot of excitement about it.
‘Another section of the field will be used as a kind of community garden where the kids can plant things and maintain the garden. Last year they planted some carrots. The idea is that they will take ownership of both the pitch and the garden.’
The Hillview Community Centre continues to grow from strength to strength, with the BBH Group receiving funding from the likes of Wicklow County Council, County Wicklow Partnership, Wicklow and District Lions Club, Wicklow Rotary Club, East Coast Regional Drugs Taskforce and the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board.
Activities taking place at the community centre include an after school service, Women’s night, knit and stitch classes, arts and crafts, parent and toddler groups and taster courses such as flower arranging and healthy eating classes, as well as plenty of fun activities for both youngsters and adults alike. East Wicklow Youth Service run three groups out of the centre under the Cross Care Youth Service.
However, volunteerism is the real reason behind the centre’s success.
‘If we didn’t have our volunteers then we wouldn’t be able to achieve what we have so far. We don’t get an income so the volunteers are all vital. We are providing activities and a safe space for youngsters to hang out and enjoy themselves. It also helps with their personal development,’ says Mary Vickers.
Stephanie Power and Barbara O’Brien are credited with starting the BBH Group. Anthony Hall used to attend the centre in his younger days and now organises activities for other youngsters from the area.
Other regular visitors to the centre have gone on to graduate from college.
‘It’s all positive as we move forward. I think lots of residents are really buying into the community centre, especially now they hear about the community pitch and garden. It has helped to really foster a sense of community spirit,’ says Delores Goucher.
The centre is wheelchair accessible and boasts a well
LOTS OF RESIDENTS ARE REALLY BUYING INTO THE CENTRE...IT HAS HELPED TO FOSTER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT
equipped kitchen, computers, X box and playstation, a TV, dart board, arts and crafts and pool, amongst others.
Summer camps for different age groups are taking place and the centre can also be rented out privately for special occasions.
However, the BBH Group are keen to stress that the community centre is open to all and not just residents of Ballyguile, Broadlough and Hillview.
‘Anyone is welcome to attend any of the events taking place here,’ explains Delores.
‘We would love to see more people from different areas getting involved and not just youngsters, adults as well. From the very beginning we always said lets develop a real community spirit and this centre would act as the hub of that community.’