New safe play area and public garden for Mountmellick housing estate
Laois residents to benefit from €250,000 Housing Finance Agency pot
A community centre in the centre of a Laois housing estate is going to get a safely enclosed children's play area and a garden.
Cullenbeg Park in Mountmellick is one of 12 projects to share in a fund of €250,000 announced by the Housing Finance Agency (HFA).
The grants are given to Approved Housing Bodies and Local Authorities to provide community-enhancing initiatives and facilities.
The Mountmellick community centre sits on a large open green space surrounded by multiple housing estates including Kirwan Park, Silverbrook and Silverwood.
The HFA say that with roads to both sides of the building, the new enclosed garden and play space will provide children attending the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme with a safe play area.
"Other community groups will also have access to this new secure outdoor space," they said.
No timeline was confirmed by them.
Clúid Housing had applied and won €14,555 for the project.
Brian O’Gorman is the Chief Executive of Clúid Housing.
“Great communities are about so much more than building great quality homes. That’s why Cluid is delighted to receive support from the HFA Social Investment Fund.
"In our scheme in Cullenbeg Park, Mountmellick, the funding is providing a community garden and play area, so local children have a safe place to play as well as raising awareness of biodiversity from a young age.
"We commend the HFA for their continued investment in homes and communities across the country.”
The HFA finances the construction of social and affordable housing, and also awards community project funding to customers each year through its Social Investment Fund.
Housing Finance Agency CEO Fergal O’Riagain announced the funding awards.
“We had great interest in our Social Investment Fund this year, with a range of creative and well-thought-out applications coming from over thirty customers across the country.
“This year, I am delighted to see the funding awarded to so many deserving initiatives, such as eco-friendly playgrounds, exercise and leisure activities for senior citizens and an apartment courtyard makeover for social housing tenants.
“The HFA is committed to supporting customers, not just in the delivery of housing, but also in the enhancement of communities around those homes with this fund. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts these latest projects deliver for local residents,” he said.