It has been announced that 11 community centres in Laois are to receive funding for upgrades and refurbishments.
Three of the centres, in Clonaslee, Killeshin and Mountmellick. have been awarded €100,000 each.
Clonaslee Community Centre is to undergo a refurbishment project, Killeshin will replace a roof and install a new floor, while Mountmellick’s Macra building will have essential works on the roof.
€94,760 is going to Rathdowney Community Centre to fund the insulation of external walls and install a new heating system.
Hawthorn Community Building is to receive €85,006 to fund the upgrade of the toilet facilities and improve accessibility.
€83,009 is going to the Parochial Community Hall in Portarlington to fund the replacement of windows.
Cullohill Community Centre are to receive €72,335 to fund upgrades to infrastructure, safety enhancements, modernisation of services and purchase of essential equipment.
€45,468 is going to Clonad GAA Club Community Centre to fund improvements to the bathroom, access system and replace doors.
An Croí Community Centre is to get €39,308 to fund the upgrades which includes essential maintenance of the roof, upgrading of the kitchen, internal painting and window frosting.
€34,684 is going to Castletown Community Centre for the installation of solar PV panels, upgrade the lighting and replace a broken timber door.
While Killeen Community Hall is to get €28,602 to fund the upgrade of the toilets, provision of an accessible toilet and installation of energy efficient lighting.
The announcement was met with much happiness from Laois TDs, Willie Aird and Sean Fleming who all collectively acknowledged the importance of community in Laois.
Aird expressed his delight at the announcement, speaking about the role of community centres and how they “play an essential role in bringing our communities together.
“This funding will make our towns and villages better places to live, work and raise a family” Aird further added.
Similar in his rhetoric, Fleming spoke about how “community centres were the life blood of our local communities, it is important that they be maintained to the highest standard’
The community centres are evidently a massive part of local communities and a thanks was given from both TD’s to all voluntary committees involved in the centre.
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