New facilities at the JIMS Centre, a cross community drop in centre for young people in the town of Kilkeel, were officially opened today by one of the original founders, Canon David McClay, (Friday 28 March 2008).The £268,500 project, which is an extension and refurbishment of existing premises on Greencastle Street, was funded by the EU Peace & Reconciliation Programme (through the Northern Ireland Rural Development Council - RDC) who contributed £165,400; the International Fund for Ireland who contributed £90,645; and Kilkeel Parish Bridge Association (KPBA) with the help of the local community who raised £12,455. The project, led by KPBA aims to provide a safe and neutral environment where young people from both communities can come together to engage in recreational activities.The new facilities include an IT suite, kitchen and disabled facilities including toilets and a lift, funded through Newry and Mourne LSP and other funders, at a cost of £40,000. On the first floor, there is a large multi-activity room with a stage, office accommodation and storage space in addition to the existing meeting/activity room.Kilkeel has a history of sectarianism and the Kilkeel Parish Bridge Association was originally founded in 2000 to address the rise of anti-social behaviour in the town. Due to overwhelming demand JIMS quickly outgrew their original premises and thereby created a need for somewhere new. Bringing young people together in this neutral environment is a huge step forward for the area.Speaking at the official opening, Dr Arthur Mitchell, Council Member, RDC, said: “As a local to the area, I am aware of the vital services that this centre has provided since its doors opened over 7 years ago.  It has been at the forefront of supporting young people, offering essential educational, social, health, welfare and advice services.  The newly extended centre will allow them to target a greater number of young people from all traditions and I am sure their successes will continue well into the future’.Fund Board Member, Jackie Hewitt said: “We are delighted to have supported this project which fits in so well with our work of bringing people together to bring about real and lasting change. The project will develop and facilitate activities within the centre, encouraging participation from the local community regardless of background. We believe that the outreach projects will promote positive interaction within all sections of the wider community. And we wish the work at the Centre all success.”Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie said:  “It is a great pleasure for me to be able to share in this your official opening of such a successful project here in Kilkeel.  I am delighted that, in addition to funding from my own department, this project has also secured funding from IFI and the Rural Development Council.  This money has been able to support your efforts to improve your facilities and services using funding allocated through our Local Community Fund.  I would like to wish you further success for the future in your efforts to serve the needs of all of the young people in the Kilkeel area.”Gary Millar, Chair of the Kilkeel Parish Bridge Association said that there are already a number of activities underway at JIMS.“Before the extension to our facilities, we had to limit attendance to certain activities and we are delighted that we can now accommodate so many more young people. A group of our young people have recently joined with local charity ‘Fields of Life’ and are heading out to Uganda to work with teachers and pupils to help broaden their own horizons. This really is a great example of how far we have come. We also run ‘Romance Academy’ Courses for 15 – 18yr olds to make young people aware of sexual health issues and encourage them not to rush their relationships.”

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