Community groups in Castlefinn will see eight years of hard work and commitment culminate in the official opening of Castlefinn Partnership Initiative Ltd.'s Multi-Purpose Centre on Friday, 22nd June.  The EUR2.5 million project, which is located at Knockrawer, Castlefinn, will be officially opened by Mary Coughlan T.D., the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children.

Established in 1999, the Castlefinn Partnership Initiative (CPI) is an umbrella organisation representing various interest groups in the community.  It is charged with promoting both the social, cultural, educational, training and sporting needs of the area, and the economic development, through job creation, of Castlefinn and its environs. Following community-wide consultations, it set about the task of establishing a community facility in Castlefinn that would provide a range of services, including commercial floor space, health services and childcare facilities.

Speaking ahead the facility's official opening, CPI Chairman, Patsy Callaghan, said: "The official opening will be a significant moment in the work of CPI and I wish to extend an invitation to the communities of Castlefinn to come and celebrate the achievement with us.  The opening will give the community an opportunity to tour the entire building and see what facilities and services are available.  I look forward to welcoming all the communities of Castlefinn and beyond to the event and showcasing what the complex has to offer."

Emphasising the commitment of the local community, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mary Coughlan T.D., said: "This is a milestone day for Castlefinn.  The extent of local cooperation in the cause of developing this superb facility is a credit to the community.  The facilities available don't just include a multipurpose hall and conference rooms, but also child and healthcare facilities, a computer suite, a pharmacy and space for several other private businesses to grow and develop.  In my view, the centre has already established itself as a focal point for the development of Castlefinn and the surrounding area over the years ahead.  Credit is due to all concerned, particularly the CPI Executive Committee and funding agencies."

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher, was high in his praise of the funding agencies that provided grant aid.  He said: "This centre represents an investment of EUR2.5 million in community based facilities in Castlefinn and will be of significant benefit to the area.  Together with fundraising from within the community, the different state and voluntary bodies that contributed to its success must be acknowledged and praised for their foresight.  I also want to pay particular tribute to the CPI Committee for their contribution to the very successful project, which is already bringing many benefits to the locality."

Funding for the Resource Centre's development came from within the community and from a number of different state and voluntary organisations. Among the funding organisations were the Government's Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme, administered by the Office of the Minister for Children; National Lottery Funding administered by the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism; Border Action; the International Fund for Ireland; North West Region Cross Border Group; Donegal County Council's Peace II Taskforce and Community Development Fund; Donegal Local Development Company; and LEADER.

Paul Skinnader of Border Action said: "The commitment of the Castlefinn Partnership Committee to ensure that facilities are available to the whole Community of Castlefinn must be commended.  Border Action is very happy to be associated with the development of this project and supports the ongoing work taking place."

Denis Rooney, Chairman of the International Fund for Ireland, said: "The International Fund for Ireland has always been about helping people help themselves. It is inspiring to see how Castlefinn Partnership Initiative has harnessed the spirit and energy of the local community and channelled it into providing a centre that will address a wide range of the community's needs. We are delighted to have had the opportunity to support them in this."

Eamon Molloy, Development Officer, North West Region Cross Border Group
said: "The North West Region Cross Border Group are pleased to have had the opportunity to provide funding through the European Union's INTERREG programme towards this important community resource and wish the Partnership every success in the future."

Frank Kelly of Donegal Local Development Company and LEADER said: "DLDC and LEADER are delighted to be associated with CPI and were pleased to assist with capital funding of the this project.  It is reassuring to see an emphasis placed on the development of training facilities and enterprise, while also affording the local community space for future community programmes.  It is also reassuring to see what can be achieved by a rural community committee like CPI when agencies work together for the future sustainability of areas like Castlefinn."

Click here to download press release: 214.50 Kb