Jonathan Corry, Chair of Ballymacash Regeneration Network; Alderman Paul Porter; Chairman of the Leisure and Community Development Committee, Alderman James Tinsley; Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Cllr Tim Morrow; Niamh- Anne McNally, The Alpha Programme.

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is delighted to announce the official opening of Ballymacash Community Centre in Lisburn South. The project, to deliver a new community building in Ballymacash, was funded by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council.

Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Cllr Tim Morrow and Chairman of Leisure & Community Development Committee, Alderman James Tinsley were joined at the official opening by members of the community, and representatives from The Alpha Programme, Ballymacash Regeneration Network, McCaw Architects and JPM Contracts Ltd to unveil a plaque and declare Ballymacash Community Centre open for business.

Ballymacash Community Centre is a brand new facility which boasts two large activity rooms, an office, a consulting room, a kitchen, toilets and a community garden. The centre will be available to hire for a range of events, meetings and party packages. The facilities will be used for fitness classes, music groups, parent and toddler mornings and a range of courses and events for members of the community.

Mayor Cllr Tim Morrow, speaking at the opening, said: “The Council is pleased that this considerable investment in the area has come about. I am also pleased that the Council has been able to work in partnership with Ballymacash Regeneration Network and the other local Groups in the Lisburn South area.”

Chairman of the Leisure & Community Development Committee, Alderman James Tinsley, said: “A community facility in this area of Lisburn has been studied, discussed, appraised and considered for quite some time, and it is heartening that, at last, we can celebrate the construction of Ballymacash Community Centre in the Lisburn South area.”

Adjoining the Community Centre is a Community Garden that has been funded by The Alpha Programme to provide a great outdoor space for people of all ages to enjoy. The funding was secured through the Ballymacash Regeneration Network. Community gardens add beauty to the community, increase a sense of community ownership and bring people together from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Niamh-Anne McNally from The Alpha Programme said: “This Community garden will play an important role for the local neighbourhood with a range of facilities aimed to promote positive mental health and wellbeing and social inclusion for all ages. Ballymacash is a perfect example that demonstrates how the Alpha Programme can enhance nature and create a lasting impact for future generations.”

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council also extends its sincere thanks to McCaw Architects and JPM Contracts Ltd for their hard work and dedication to the project.